Olympic gold medal skier Lindsey Vonn sparked a backlash when she said she will represent the United States at the 2018 Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, in February, but not the president.
“I hope to represent the people of the United States, not the president. I take the Olympics very seriously and what they mean and what they represent, what walking under our flag means in the opening ceremony,” the American skier told CNN.
“I want to represent our country well, and I don’t think there are a lot of people currently in our government that do that.”
Vonn also said she would “absolutely not” accept an invitation to the White House if she were to win a gold medal.
On “Fox & Friends Weekend” this morning, fellow Olympic gold medalist Mike Eruzione said Vonn has the right to make her own decisions, but he disagrees and believes it’s important to respect the presidency.
Eruzione, who captained the 1980 U.S. men’s hockey team in a stunning victory over Russia in a game that has since become known as the “Miracle on Ice,” said he treasured his visit to the White House after the team went on to win the gold medal.
He said that as president of the United States, Donald Trump should be respected.
“Whether you agree or disagree with his politics, he was elected by the people of this country,” Eruzione said.
He added that it’s a great honor to the “USA” jersey on, because you’re not representing one city or community, but the entire country.
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The injury follows a widely reported rebuke Vonn directed at Trump, saying that she intended to represent the “people of the United States,” not President Trump, at the upcoming Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn, who took a swipe at President Trump last week, was treated for a back injury following a race Saturday.
The two-time Olympic medalist dropped to the ground and said she was in pain after a run in the World Cup Super-G race in St. Moritz, Switzerland, according to reports.
