Everyone involved in the Olympics covets one prize in particular — a gold medal.
The Team USA women’s hockey team captured its ultimate goal on Friday, coming from behind to defeat rival Team Canada 2-1 in overtime to secure its first Olympic victory since the 2018 Games.
After the win, Team USA head coach John Wroblewski was captured asking the Americans’ team captain Hilary Knight, “Can I check out your gold medal?”
That left many to wonder, why didn’t Wroblewski have a gold medal of his own?
Here’s why
Unknown to many, coaches at the Olympics, whether they are guiding individual competitors or teams, do not receive medals for their contributions, which seems odd considering that in professional sports, even team staff members below the head coach receive championship rings.
Now, the tradition at the Olympics differs from that which has been developed in pro sports in the States. Still, for a man who has helped lead his team to two world championships under his leadership, for him not to receive a medal just seems ridiculous.
Track record
Wroblewski has been the head coach of Team USA since 2022, leading the team to its first World Championship since 2019 and first Olympic gold medal in eight years. He previously served as head coach of the Ontario Reign of the AHL for two seasons from 2020 to 2022. Before that, he was a head coach with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.
While he may not have a gold medal to show for his efforts this Winter Games, he will always have the memories shared between him, his fellow coaches and players.