Marie-Philip Poulin’s French Ban Alarms Canadian Olympic Committee, MNA
The Canadian Olympic Committee has expressed concern following an incident involving Team Canada’s women’s hockey captain, Marie-Philip Poulin. During a recent press conference, Poulin was asked to speak English after a reporter directed a question to her in French.
Incident Details
The event took place on Thursday during the post-game conference after Canada’s gold-medal loss to the United States. Vanessa Lee, the COC’s director of communications, called the incident “unacceptable.”
Response from the IOC
The International Olympic Committee addressed the situation, noting complications with interpretation. They stated, “The Milano Cortina 2026 Venue Media Manager apologized to the person concerned immediately after the press conference.” The IOC emphasized its commitment to both French and English as official languages.
Background on Marie-Philip Poulin
- Name: Marie-Philip Poulin
- Birthplace: Quebec City, Canada
- Hometown: Beauceville, Quebec
- Relocation: Moved to Montreal at 16 to learn English
Political Reactions
Quebec politician Pascal Bérubé of the Parti Québécois condemned the incident, labeling it an “ultimate injury.” He urged Quebec’s Minister of Sports, Isabelle Charest, to investigate the matter further. Bérubé affirmed the need for athletes to communicate in their preferred language.
Poulin’s Stance
Despite the controversy, Poulin has opted not to comment on the situation. This incident highlights the ongoing discussions regarding language rights and representation in sports.
Recent Events in Canadian Hockey
Earlier this week, Canada’s men’s hockey team faced a disappointing defeat as they lost the gold medal in overtime to the United States.
