Hilary Knight, the captain of the US women's ice hockey team, which won gold at the recent Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, voiced her regret that President Donald Trump's 'inappropriate' joke detracted from the accomplishments of American athletes during the event. Trump had made a remark during a phone call with the men's hockey team, suggesting they should also bring the women's team to attend his upcoming State of the Union address, which prompted laughter from the players. Knight highlighted how such comments can undermine the significant successes achieved by women in sports, who have raised the US flag and won gold medals in the Olympics.

In the wake of Trump's comments, Knight emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of female athletes rather than allowing careless jokes to overshadow their hard work and dedication. She discussed how this unnecessary attention towards a misplaced joke shifts focus away from the success women have achieved in the Olympics and the sacrifices they made to earn their medals. Knight, with five Olympic medals to her name, noted how these accomplishments should be highlighted and appreciated.

As public figures and athletes, the way they respond to comments like Trump’s can shape public perception and ongoing conversations about gender equality in sports. Knight's statements challenge the narrative that women's achievements in sports are secondary or less important, reinforcing the need for visibility and respect for all athletes, regardless of gender. Her responses serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality in the sporting world, further igniting discourse around how both male and female athletes are represented in media and public conversations.