When Is The State Of The Union: Olympic Hockey Invitations and Reactions
The U. S. women’s hockey team has declined an invitation to attend the president’s State of the Union, and questions about who will sit in the guests’ gallery remain. when is the state of the union is a live question in this story because the president extended invitations after both Olympic teams’ victories and referenced the upcoming Tuesday night address (ET) when speaking with the men’s team.
When Is The State Of The Union
The president told the men’s team they were invited to Tuesday night’s State of the Union address at the U. S. Capitol (ET) during a locker-room call following their overtime win. He suggested the team could travel on official transportation and mentioned a White House celebration could follow. The same call referenced the women’s team; the president joked that he would be impeached if the women were not invited as well.
Why the women declined
A USA Hockey spokesperson said the women’s team is grateful for the invitation and for recognition of their gold medal achievement, but that the timing conflicts with previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games. The spokesperson added that the athletes were honored to be included and grateful for the acknowledgment. The women’s team had beaten Canada in the Olympic women’s hockey final the previous Thursday.
Men’s invitation and attendance unclear
The president placed a congratulatory call to the men’s locker room after their overtime victory and invited those players to the same State of the Union address. He praised the team’s performance in the call and described the invitation as an opportunity tied to the Tuesday night address (ET). It is unclear at this time whether the men’s team will attend the speech; attendance remains dependent on the players’ post-Games schedules and any other commitments they may have.
What this means now
The immediate news hook is the divergence in responses: one Olympic champion team has declined due to timing and existing obligations, while the other has an open invitation and has not confirmed attendance. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on either team's participation. Practical next steps hinge on teams’ schedules and any logistical arrangements tied to the invitation for Tuesday night (ET).
Key takeaways:
- The women’s team declined the invitation because of previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games.
- The president invited the men’s team during a locker-room call after their overtime gold-medal win; their attendance is still unclear.
- The invitation was tied to Tuesday night’s State of the Union address (ET), and any participation will depend on the teams’ post-Games schedules.
Looking ahead, confirmation of any team attendance will likely depend on schedules and travel arrangements finalized in the days following the Games. If the teams’ existing commitments remain in place, formal participation at the Tuesday night address (ET) will not proceed; if schedules are adjusted, appearances could still occur. Uncertainties are labeled as not publicly confirmed at this time.