Former U.S. Olympian Megan Rapinoe spoke out after FBI Director Kash Patel appeared in Team USA’s locker room following its gold medal win over Canada. The American men beat Canada 2-1 in overtime on Feb. 22 in Milan, securing their first Olympic gold in 46 years. Jack Hughes scored the overtime winner, while Connor Hellebuyck made 41 saves.
Videos later showed Patel celebrating with players inside the locker room. He was seen drinking a beverage, dancing, and even wearing a gold medal.
Rapinoe raised concerns about political figures entering team spaces.
“I know what happens in those locker rooms. People get brought in, you have no say,” Rapinoe said. “To have the President on the phone, you get yourself wrapped in this moment. For me, the choice point is like, I would’ve never as a captain or a leader on my team, that would’ve been clear to our staff: Those people would never be allowed in our locker room.”
From the celebration, Patel connected players via FaceTime to Donald Trump. Trump congratulated the team and invited them to his State of the Union address. He also joked about inviting the women’s team, who also beat Canada 2-1 in overtime to win gold.
Rapinoe said athletes must understand how political figures use major sports moments.
“Trump’s using you to do something else, he’s always going to co-opt your moment,” Rapinoe said. “We had this opportunity after 2019. Obviously, I said that we’re not going to the White House. Trump was trying to backchannel and invite us and we were like, no. Let’s not pretend like we don’t know who this person is.”
The debate now shifts from the ice to the broader intersection of sports and politics.
Kash Patel’s Message on His Presence in Team USA’s Locker Room
A day after the celebration with Team USA in their locker room, Patel shared a post on X. He said in the post that he was humbled to be invited by friends on the team.
“For the very concerned media – yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, the newly minted Gold Medal winners on Team USA, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys- Greatest country on earth and greatest sport on earth. 👊🏼🏒🇺🇸” Patel wrote on X.
Patel’s presence and Trump’s comments created controversy among fans and media.
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