News: Should the women's hockey team be allowed to celebrate? | Blog

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News: Should the women's hockey team be allowed to celebrate?

I'm sure many of you joined us at Best Health in celebrating last night's great Canadian Olympic victories: first, a gold medal from our women's hockey team; and second, a courageous bronze from figure skater Joannie Rochette. (Like many of my friends, I stayed up too late on a work night to watch the skating and the medal ceremony.)

But is it possible to celebrate too much? A lot of people seem to think so, as the women's hockey team has been criticized for returning to the ice to celebrate with champagne, beer and a cigar—so much so that the IOC is apparently investigating the incident.

Wait a second—what incident? Yes, one of the players is a month shy of 19, so not of legal drinking age in BC (although she is in her home province of Quebec). And yes, smoking cigars isn't exactly healthy, although one cigar once every four years shared amongst an entire hockey team surely does less damage than your average city's air pollution.

I have to wonder, though. If this had been the men's team celebrating a gold-medal win over a longtime rival team, would it have been considered an "incident" at all?

I asked some of my and Best Health's followers on Twitter and here are some of their comments:

"Their only mistake was photographs." (@zchamu)

"It's a non-issue. They won, they can celebrate. I don't think this would be an issue if it were the men." (@reneeswilliams)

"I'm fine with it. It was a harmless celebration and all in good fun." (@sarahrogers)

"I think the answer is still yes. The cultural reaction would be far different, but the IOC is generally conservative." (@scrawledinwax)

"If it had been the celebration of a win over the US, yes. It is the US reporters who have made this a story." (@adam_weitner_pr)

"What about the gold medal winner walking through the streets chugging a pitcher? How come no-one complained about that?" (@davefleet)

What do you think? Issue or non-issue?

Posted by Kat Tancock onFriday, February 26th, 2010 - 4:36pm

32 Comments

This is so embarrassingly a non-issue that you have to wonder about all the nervous nellie's out there tsk tsking behind their hands. Sorry, but as a parent, I am dam proud to have my son watch the olympics with me and see how well Canada performed--off and on tv. The gold medal winning women's hockey team won and celebrated. I personally don't care if they had put out their cigars on a US jersey and wiped their champagne ringed mouths on the IOC banner. They did absolutely nothing wrong except to those who put appearances before achievement. You know, the superficial ones like the commenter 'Fan' who believes these hard working women lost respect......not as much as you have for writing such trite banalities. Go Canada.

Submitted by michelle on Thu, 2010-03-18 12:27am.

(1) For the one individual who was under-age drinking, I think she should be reprimanded (as well as the adults/above legal age who let her). Each country, province, etc. has their own laws, and as a visitor you need to respect and obey them, regardless of where you come from. (2) I'm really tired of the argument of the question being thrown out, "What if it was a men's team that did this? It wouldn't be an issue now would it?". Well, you know what, there isn't a men's team that did it, now is there? It's because they have enough common sense to either not celebrate like this, or more likely, not celebrate and be photographed in a public place. That is where I think the main issue is - there are now pictures of these elite athletes who many, many young impressionable females looked up to. Not exactly the role model or image that I would want them to see. Yes, I know people celebrate in different ways, it's just unfortunate that they decided to do it in a public place and be photographed. They lost a lot of respect and their success has been tarnished.

Submitted by Fan on Wed, 2010-03-10 6:37pm.

I'm so sick of all the sexist garbage that is still allowed in this country, this is Canada were are in a supposed free country where WOMEN HAVE RIGHTS!! they should be able to celebrate too! Maybe the reporter would be more comfortable going back to the cave?

Submitted by Missy on Sat, 2010-03-06 1:21am.

They took Gold, let them celebrate. Everyone is blowing this way out of proportion. Come on Canada support your athletes. And as for the U.S. they are just comlaining because they lost.

Submitted by Shawn on Sun, 2010-02-28 12:09am.

Is that an ash I see on the ice? OFF With Their Heads! Really, is this such a big deal?

Submitted by Aunt Nan on Sat, 2010-02-27 11:09pm.

Did not Jon Montgomery, Skeleton gold medalist walked down the street at Whistler chugging a beer. Nothing wrong with that. He gets on the Oprah show. What's the big deal??? Get off the women's hockey team'ss' case and get a life. GO CANADA.

Submitted by David on Sat, 2010-02-27 5:36pm.

When an arena is empty or celebrating,no one has the right to interfer.It's a none issue .Way the Go Girl's, do what you do like to do, every one else does .It's a none gender thing .You don't have answer to anyone for anything you've done. When your Canadian that's the way we celebrate.Everyone does, why not us.Let loose and have fun Girl's.Were the best Country in the World, so be proud and show your Pride. You are the Best at what you Play .If i recall right, you Gold Hee!Hee! Hee!. Grab a Life folks live and live.

Submitted by B,vaive on Sat, 2010-02-27 10:59am.

I really think that this is really a ridiculous issue. If this were the men's hockey team, whether it be Canada or other, there wouldn't be any issue made of any of this. These girls were celebrating, unfortunately perhaps in the wrong place and the stupid media blew it out of proportion (likely US media too). I wonder what they would have said or done if it were the U.S. girls hockey team??? I'm really sick of all this media crap - leave our Canadian ladies hockey team alone and go rain on someone else's parade. What's a little drink of champagne - they show them spraying/showering each other with this stuff when a race car driver wins a race and this is done in public - But excuse me - these are usually men that do this sort of thing. Do they say anything about this? If our ladies were parading the ice with their clothes off, using foul language, falling down drunk then there might be a reason for an issue. Did they say anything about Montgomery drinking pitchers of beer walking down a street? He was in the public eye too and nobdy said a thing. Of course - he's a man. Our ladies shouldn't have counted on nobody being there to watch their every move. Bad judgement and I'm sure their apology to the IOC should be accepted and leave it well alone. They're true champions and people should accept this and leave them be. Golfers jump in ponds fully clothed, pour bubbly over each other, what's wrong with this picture?

Submitted by Marilyn on Sat, 2010-02-27 12:27am.

I think that the IOC should find other more importants things or issues to worry about then the fact that women got to party after a great win......they won they partied, what's the big deal about that, or is it because we are women and because the IOC is so conservative they cannot take it when they see women partying. WE eon we got to Party, game was over the PARTY ON so IOC move along to other issues and let us PARTY ON........

Submitted by Alice on Fri, 2010-02-26 11:54pm.

NON ISSUE !!!!!

Submitted by Wendy Gallagher on Fri, 2010-02-26 11:51pm.

why does everyone make such a big deal out of this, omg they just won a gold medal. they were on the ice not hiding anything. chilax people.

Submitted by mary lou on Fri, 2010-02-26 11:13pm.

get serious, they have worked hard for this. Man you work hard you party hard. WEll done I would have done the same thing, in fact i did both and look back with fondness. Dr Mike Ottawa

Submitted by Dr Mike on Fri, 2010-02-26 10:42pm.

I think if the US Women's team lit up a cigar whenever they won a gold medal, that would be one stale cigar!

Submitted by John Kerr on Fri, 2010-02-26 10:06pm.

I think that the women deserve to celebrate & yes I believe that if it was the mens team, there would be no issue at all. So they passed a cigar & popped the bubbly; I don't think that any parent would deny them (for the age of majority for the province) if they had just played the best game of their lives & received gold. We allow 18 year olds to vote perhaps the age should drop. Celebrate loud & proud...we are Canadian, perhaps we should learn to all cheer louder.

Submitted by Colleen on Fri, 2010-02-26 9:21pm.

Give it a rest already. After working as hard as they did to win this medal they are entitled to celebrate a little...a few beer? whoop dee do

Submitted by mike on Fri, 2010-02-26 9:05pm.

there nothing wroung with the celebrating at all what i guess is the concern is that in any world event you are repersenting your country why the need for the women team to be in the public eye what did they think that reporters only work certain hours why didnt they have beeer instead of gateraid on the bench they should have been more discreet

Submitted by frank on Fri, 2010-02-26 8:35pm.

Let's just imagine the Canadian response had an American team done this.

Submitted by Vinny on Fri, 2010-02-26 8:22pm.

I think it is completely absurd that they are making such a big deal out of this. There is no Stanley Cup for Women's Hockey...Olympic Gold is the equivalent of that for these girls. They celebrated on the same ice they won on. It was there way to soak it all in to reflect on their journey to the gold medal. Having a beer or champagne while celebrating is just a tradition. M-P Pouling, 18, is old enough to join the army to defend the country but not can't enjoy some champagne when she'll wins gold for it. This whole thing is STUPID! People need to just stop being so critical of our athletes.

Submitted by Yvan on Fri, 2010-02-26 8:03pm.

If drinking is such a taboo then why do the Olympics allow huge corporate sponsorship by alcohol producers? It's the highest form of hypocrisy. Yes we'll take your money and allow you to advertise but athletes who have worked months and years to get here are not allowed to celebrate? Give me a break!

Submitted by Colleen on Fri, 2010-02-26 7:46pm.

Yes they should be able to celebrate The WON A GOLD MEDAL YES YES In fact, they have won a GOLD MEDAL since 2002 They are the best thank you

Submitted by Janet on Fri, 2010-02-26 7:36pm.

Ridiculous

Submitted by John Stapleford on Fri, 2010-02-26 7:33pm.

It's not like they are taking bribes like IOC members have or have crooked judges like the IOC have caught. Look in the mirror and don't judge by your actions a-holes.

Submitted by Wayne on Fri, 2010-02-26 7:33pm.

The US is a "sour pussy cat"!!!!!!!

Submitted by Anna Jung on Fri, 2010-02-26 7:09pm.

Duhhh... are you stupid?

Submitted by Jayson on Fri, 2010-02-26 7:05pm.

Totally unacceptable, The Coach, Team Captain and the people who gave the bubbly to the players should be punished, a great effort and a wonderful victory. But at least this time we did not see the one player caring her little baby around the ice and getting pictures with the team. This will be a black eye for Womens Hockey here in Canada and after such a tremendous tremendous feat. Go figure

Submitted by gym on Fri, 2010-02-26 6:47pm.

the team deserves to celebrate their win.......the only 'issue' would be the one those that need to complain have...wonder if they were ever on a team...win or lose? back off and leave our Canadian Teams and all celebrating teams alone. If you dont like it, dont watch.

Submitted by Karen on Fri, 2010-02-26 6:47pm.

Absolutely they should be allowed if they are of age. They give 8-10 months out of there lives to train hard and they should be allowed to let loose.Why does it really matter, how about the guy who won gold and drank out of a pitcher on national t.v was there a uproar about him, NO. So media give it a rest and quit raining on the olympians parade all the time.

Submitted by gr9 on Fri, 2010-02-26 6:38pm.

I think they should celebrate, but maybe the locker room is the more appropriate for immediate;y after the game celebration, then go back to the hotel, olympic village , etc. and celebrate.

Submitted by peg on Fri, 2010-02-26 6:36pm.

I think the miserable reporters and photographers who sensationalized this celebration should have their Olympic passes revoked.

Submitted by Richard S. on Fri, 2010-02-26 6:32pm.

Canadian, American or any other team, these ladies worked hard at winning this Gold medal. Leave them to have their celebration in peace...they more than earned it and they are not hurting anyone by having a celebratory drink.

Submitted by Patricia on Fri, 2010-02-26 6:29pm.

It is only an issue if the public was still in the building. Reporters and people that were working do not count as the public.

Submitted by Aussie on Fri, 2010-02-26 6:24pm.

100% think it's fine. Except they probably should have kept the party contained. Drawing the media attention brought out the negative train! Congrats girls - GO CANADA!

Submitted by mattyp on Fri, 2010-02-26 6:02pm.

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