President Donald Trump hosted more than 120 Team USA Winter Olympians and Paralympians at the White House on Thursday to celebrate their accomplishments at the Milano Cortina Games earlier this year. The athletes brought home 57 medals, including 12 golds, from a team of about 300 competitors.
Trump called it a historic Winter Olympics for the United States, noting it was the most gold medals ever won by U.S. athletes at a single Winter Games. Team USA also secured 33 medals outside North America, setting a record for the most medals won at a Winter Olympics held abroad, according to the White House.
In addition, 72 Paralympians earned 24 medals, including 13 golds. Among their achievements was a fifth consecutive gold medal in sled hockey, extending one of the most successful dynasties in international sports, Trump said, before acknowledging members of that team.
Trump also highlighted the success of the U.S. men’s and women’s Olympic hockey teams, both of which defeated Canada in overtime. He praised the women’s hockey team for leaving everything on the ice and called the men’s team celebration an incredible moment. Trump previously invited the men’s hockey team to the State of the Union shortly after their gold medal victory.
The president recognized several athletes, including forwards Joy Dunne and Abbey Murphy. He presented each athlete with a Team USA varsity jacket and shoes as keepsakes of their performance. Those unable to attend are already training for the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps, with Salt Lake City set to host the 2034 Olympics, Trump announced.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
