The 1980 US Olympic men’s ice hockey team defied practically insurmountable odds to defeat the Soviet Union, the world’s largest hockey superpower, propelling them to win a gold medal and the nation’s adulation.
And now 45 years later, the “Miracle on Ice” team will reunite within the Oval Office for an additional medal ceremony as President Donald Trump is about to signal a invoice to award the gamers congressional gold medals.
The outstanding sport stays iconic amongst sports activities followers and people who lived it for the 4-3, come-from-behind upset victory — but additionally the patriotism it generated amid a second of nationwide malaise in the course of the Cold War, the Iran hostage disaster and financial stagflation. The famed triumph was simply a part of the US’ Olympic “miracle,” because the team nonetheless wanted to refocus and defeat Finland within the gold medal sport.
The team, in accordance to the bipartisan legislation Trump will signal, “(revitalized) American morale at the height of the Cold War, inspiring generations and transforming the sport of hockey in the United States.”
Captain Mike Eruzione, goaltender Jim Craig, and ahead Buzz Schneider will attend, in accordance to a White House official, alongside with 10 extra gamers and members of the family of the team’s late coach, Herb Brooks.
“President Trump will honor the legendary 1980 Olympic men’s ice hockey team whose ‘Miracle on Ice’ resulted in a historic and symbolic victory against the Soviet Union,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers stated in a press release, including that the win “fueled a resurgence of national pride.”
Trump’s recognition of the team and the geopolitical significance of their victory comes at an advanced second for US-Russia relations because the president has stated that Russia has the “upper hand” in its conflict in Ukraine.
Trump has beforehand recognized the team, welcoming members on stage throughout a 2020 marketing campaign rally in Las Vegas, an look that prompted some backlash on the time. The team was on the town to rejoice the fortieth anniversary of their victory. Trump known as the US-Soviet face-off “one of the greatest moments in the history of sports.”
The new legislation, which handed the Senate and House in September, calls for 3 medals: one will probably be displayed on the Lake Placid Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York, one on the US Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Eveleth, Minnesota, and one on the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado.