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Canadian hockey player who ripped off her silver medal issues statement

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Losing isn’t fun.

Losing an Olympic gold medal game in your country’s national winter sport? In the sixth frame of a shootout? To your biggest rival?

That’s a tough pill to swallow.

After Team Canada’s 3-2 loss to the U.S. women’s team Thursday night in Pyeongchang, one player was feeling particularly bitter about finishing second in the world.

Canadian defender Jocelyne Larocque yanked off her silver medal as soon as it was placed around her neck.

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​Her actions drew widespread criticism, even in her home country, as a demonstration of poor sportsmanship.

https://twitter.com/harbourqueen905/status/966649639930875904

On Friday, Larocque said she was sorry for what she did.

“I want to apologize to the IOC, IIHF, the Pyeongchang Olympic Organizing Committee, Canadian Olympic Committee, Hockey Canada and most especially to my teammates and our fans for removing my silver medal after it was presented to me,” she said in a statement released by Hockey Canada. “In the moment, I was disappointed with the outcome of the game, and my emotions got the better of me.

“I meant no disrespect — it has been an honour to represent my country and win a medal for Canada. I’m proud of our team, and proud to be counted among the Canadian athletes who have won medals at these Games. Being on the podium at the world’s biggest sporting event is a great achievement and one that I’m thankful I was able to experience with my teammates.

“For all fans, young and old, please understand this was a moment in time that I truly wish I could take back. I take seriously being a role model to young girls and representing our country. My actions did not demonstrate the values our team, myself and my family live and for that I am truly sorry.”

Some fans were quick to forgive the 29-year-old from Manitoba.

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https://twitter.com/JoniHPetSitter/status/966898987000217606

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Others, however, were less accepting of Larocque’s apology.

https://twitter.com/Tsufler/status/967006800745672704

Many people said she didn’t need to apologize at all.

“Some things require an apology,” wrote Toronto Star sports columnist Bruce Arthur. “Being human, without malice or ill intent, isn’t one of them.”

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Todd Windsor is a senior story editor at The Western Journal. He has worked as an editor or reporter in news and sports for more than 30 years.
Todd Windsor is a senior story editor at The Western Journal. He was born in Baltimore and grew up in Maryland. He graduated from the University of Miami (he dreams of wearing the turnover chain) and has worked as an editor and reporter in news and sports for more than 30 years. Todd started at The Miami News (defunct) and went on to work at The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., the St. Petersburg (now Tampa Bay) Times, The Baltimore Sun and Space News before joining Liftable Media in 2016. He and his beautiful wife have two amazing daughters and a very old Beagle.
Birthplace
Baltimore
Education
Bachelor of Science from the University of Miami
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Media, Sports




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