Canadian women’s hockey players go viral over hilarious reactions to stuffed toys at Olympic medal ceremony
As consolation prizes go, a tiny stuffed animal is a poor substitute for Olympic gold.
But it was the same for the Canadian women’s hockey team in Milan on Thursday; After losing 2-1 to their rival USA in overtime, they received a small toy along with their Olympic equipment.
NBC cameras captured disappointed faces as organizers presented them with a miniaturized version of the Olympic mascot, a white bride named Tina. And unfortunately for the runners-up, this image went viral.
One fan wrote to X: ‘Poor job losing in overtime then getting a consolation plushie on live ice.’
Canadian Daryl Watts seemed particularly uncomfortable accepting Tina. The Toronto native was seen staring at the stuffed toy before sighing and looking out into the crowd.
Another fan wrote to X: ‘Oh this is a rude way to celebrate the silver medal.’ ‘Team Canada deserved a little more respect after that intense overtime battle.’
Canadian Daryl Watts seemed particularly uncomfortable accepting Tina. The Toronto native was seen staring at the stuffed toy before sighing and looking out into the crowd.
Team Canada wasn’t too thrilled when it got a little plush mascot named Tina
Team Canada is seen holding Tina the white ferret, the mascot of the Winter Olympics
Canadian players were seen crying following a 2-1 overtime loss to the rival Americans on Thursday.
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Should Olympic athletes be recognized for their achievements with more meaning than a stuffed mascot?
Stuffed animals are not a new tradition. Typically, medal winners are given a miniaturized version of that year’s Olympic mascot, a practice that inevitably leads to awkward moments like the one forced on Team Canada in Milan on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s White House was not showing any sympathy for Team Canada due to the ongoing trade war between the two countries.
An X post from the White House account read, “WE ARE SO BACK.” ‘RED, WHITE AND BLUE FLOWING IN OUR VEINS.’
Canada’s loss was its eighth straight international defeat against Team USA, which has won three Olympic gold medals in women’s hockey. The Americans also defeated Team Canada 5-0 in the preliminary round.
“I think this is the best hockey team women’s hockey has ever seen,” Team USA’s Kelly Pannek told the Associated Press. ‘I think it’s part of being a champion, right?’ Pannek continued: ‘We knew they would react this way. And they gave us everything.’
