It's a double standard. The media backlash that has chased Canada's Womens Hockey team after their post gold medal, on-ice celebration is overblown and unnecessary.
The Team Canada women were seen on-ice drinking beer and smoking cigars following their Gold Medal 2-0 victory over the USA. Yes, the women should have kept their celebrations in the dressing room, but nothing they did was outrageous.
Look at every single Stanley Cup celebration. The boys are seen smoking cigars, drinking beer and champagne, and partying like there is no tomorrow. The same goes for any major sport. And if we want to debate the moral actions of the Olympic athletes partying in the Olympic Village, we can. The Olympic Village is known for sex, drugs, and alcohol.
What these Canadian women did was harmless. They did not hurt anyone, they did not do this for the media, they did not damage the image of the Olympic Games. Led by Haley Irwin, Meghan Agosta, and others, the Canadians were having innocent fun.
All they did was celebrate a hard fought victory. They celebrated committment, effort, dedication, and the realization of a dream. Beer and cigars? That doesn't seem outrageous.
In fact, watching the girls on ice together, looking at the pictures, the comradery and togetherness of the Canadian team is apparent and refreshing. Nothing they did was illegal. Think of it this way, only hours before, children were exposed to drunken debauchery and foul language of innebriated Canadian and American fans in the stands. These women played the game with class and deserve their moment to celebrate.
Team Canada was celebrating in front of an empty arena. No fans or children remained and only a small handful of media were present. The media needs to give these girls a break. If this were a party following the men's final, it would be accepted and likely praised.
Way to go Canada, you deserved every moment of your celebration.
Let the games begin.
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