"Because of School"...U.S. Women's Olympic Gold Medal Ice Hockey Team Declines President's Invitation

"Honored to have been included among the invitees"

The U.S. women’s national ice hockey team, which won the gold medal in women’s ice hockey at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, has politely declined U.S. President Donald Trump’s invitation to the White House.

"Unable to accept the invitation due to school and other commitments"

Gold-medal-winning U.S. women's national ice hockey team. AP Yonhap News

According to U.S. broadcaster NBC News and others on the 24th (local time), the U.S. women’s national ice hockey team issued a statement saying, “We are truly grateful for the invitation and deeply appreciate that our special achievement has been recognized.” However, it explained that “due to academic obligations and team schedules that had been planned after the Olympics, the players are unable to attend.” The statement added, “The players consider it an honor to have been included among those invited and are thankful for this recognition.”

President Trump also invited the men’s national ice hockey team, which won the gold medal, to the White House. However, it is not yet known whether the men’s team will attend.

Super Bowl champions’ White House visit also canceled

Trump Donald, President of the United States, invited the Philadelphia Eagles, the NFL Super Bowl champions, last April. AP Yonhap News

In the United States, it is considered customary for the White House to invite championship teams from major professional sports leagues, as well as national teams that have performed well in international competitions. However, during President Trump’s tenure, there were instances in which some teams declined such invitations.

In 2018, during his first term, President Trump invited the Philadelphia Eagles, the NFL Super Bowl champions, to the White House, but canceled the invitation the day before the event after most of the players indicated they would not attend.

Later, in April last year, he again invited Philadelphia, the 2025 Super Bowl champions, to the White House, and this time the event proceeded as scheduled. However, some players, including starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had been named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP), did not attend.