The United States secured a historic victory over arch-rival Canada, winning the men’s ice hockey gold at the Winter Olympics for the first time in 46 years. The dramatic 2–1 win not only ended a decades-long drought but also triggered political sparring between the two nations.
The White House took a swipe at former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by posting an image of a bald eagle towering over a Canadian goose, symbolising American triumph. The post was seen as a direct response to Trudeau’s earlier social media remark confidently predicting Canada’s victory.
The sporting rivalry comes amid broader political tensions between the two countries. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised Canadian leaders, including current Prime Minister Mark Carney, and threatened tariffs on Canadian industries such as steel and automobiles.
Canada, traditionally dominant in ice hockey, has now gone three consecutive Winter Olympics without winning gold in men’s hockey. The episode highlights how sports victories are increasingly spilling into diplomacy, reflecting deeper economic and political friction between the neighbouring nations.
