Fresh twist emerges in Marie-Philip Poulin Olympic scandal

A major development has emerged following the controversy surrounding Marie-Philip Poulin at the Milano Cortina Olympics, after the International Olympic Committee issued a formal apology over the post-game media incident.

Canada women’s national ice hockey team fought hard but ultimately fell to United States women’s national ice hockey team in an overtime thriller, settling for silver. However, the focus quickly shifted away from the result and onto events that unfolded after the final whistle.

Poulin, Canada’s captain and one of the most decorated players in Olympic history, had reportedly asked for the chance to thank Canadian supporters following what could be her final Olympic appearance. That request was denied. Even more contentious was the claim that she was not permitted to address the media in French during the post-game availability — a deeply personal issue for the Quebec native whose family and many supporters are francophone.

The situation sparked widespread criticism, particularly across French-speaking Canada, where political leaders and fans voiced concerns about linguistic respect and representation on the global stage.

Now, according to CBC, the Canadian Olympic Committee formally raised the issue with the IOC. The organization acknowledged there had been a problem with interpretation services during the press conference. The Milano Cortina 2026 Venue Media Manager apologized immediately after the incident and again the following day, stating: “We are very sorry for any inconvenience that this may have caused.”

While the apology does not erase the frustration many felt in the moment, it represents an important acknowledgment from Olympic officials in a controversy that overshadowed an otherwise historic performance from one of Canada’s greatest athletes.