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GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 22: Jocelyne Larocque #3 of Canada refuses to wear her silver medal after losing to the United States in the Women's Gold Medal Game on day thirteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 22, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 22: Jocelyne Larocque #3 of Canada refuses to wear her silver medal after losing to the United States in the Women's Gold Medal Game on day thirteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 22, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Canadian Hockey Player Jocelyne Larocque Apologizes for Taking off Silver Medal

Matt Jones
Feb 23, 2018

Canada ice hockey star Jocelyne Larocque has issued an apology after she removed her silver medal following her team's loss to the United States in the Winter Olympics final.

The Canadians were left heartbroken after the defeat to their bitter rivals, as they lost in a shootout with the teams tied 2-2 after overtime.ย 

Following the game, Larocque was seen taking off her silver medal and has received some criticism for the action.

As shared by Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star, she has since explained her decision to do so:

Here's the moment in question, per the NBC Olympics Twitter account:

Perย Martinย Belamย of theย Guardian, some Twitter users saidย Larocqueย "embarrassed" herself by removing the medal after the presentation, although someย leaptย to her defence following the loss. Journalist Marc Dumont backed her following the criticism:

The general manager of Canada's national programs, Melody Davidson, said she understands why the hockey star did what she did.

"Emotions run high at the Olympic Games and never more so than in a gold-medal game, but at all times we expect our team to act professionally and demonstrate sound sportsmanship," she said.

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The incident triggered some memories of what happened after the recent final of the World Junior Championships in January, when another beaten hockey star wasn't content with silver.

In that match, Sweden's beaten captainย Liasย Anderssonย immediately took off his silver medal and tossed it into the crowd, as we can see here courtesy of HockeyWebCast's Robertย Soderlind:

In other sports and competitions, the culture surrounding runners-up prizes is different, too.ย 

Indeed, in the 2017 soccer Under-21ย UEFAย European Championships, Spain player Hectorย Bellerinย was mocked on socialย medaiย for keeping his silver medal on after their loss to Germany while other members of his team removed them immediately, perย Glen Williamsย of theย MailOnline.

The loss was a galling one for Canada, as they had won the last four Olympic golds prior to the 2018 Games.ย 

The United States earned their first gold in the event since 1998 after the thrilling win. Goalkeeper Maddie Rooney was the hero, as her save from Meghanย Agostaย clinched the title for Team USA.

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