U.S. vs. Canada Women's Hockey Sochi Winter Olympics: What Did President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Bet on Game?
After a friendly wager over the women's ice hockey team gold medal match in the Sochi Olympics, President Barack Obama owes Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper a case of beer. The Canadian team was successful in stealing the gold from the United States in a last minute effort to take away the 2-0 lead in favor of the U.S. The final score standing was 3-2 with team Canada ending up victorious.
The two leaders made the bet after meeting in Mexico for the North American leaders' summit yesterday. After the victory, Harper tweeted "@barackobama, I look forward to my case of beer." In response, spokesman James Carney of the White House extended his congratulations. Obama's press spokesman also tweeted, "heartbreaking loss" to address Harper's tweet. However, the loss of the U.S. women's hockey team can still be avenged this Friday as the 2 countries go head on again for the men's Olympic semifinals.
Four years ago, these leaders also had a wager over the men's ice hockey tournament finals at Vancouver. Obama also lost the last bet and has sent a case of the American Yuengling beer to Harper. D. G. Yuengling & Son is the oldest operating brewing company in the United States and President Barak Obama has stated that it is his favorite. Aside from the two leaders, another White House official, press secretary Robert Gibbs, also lost a bet to his counterpart in Ottawa, Dimitri Soudas, and as a consequence, has to appear in a podium wearing the national Jersey of Canada.
The recent victory of Canada in women's hockey is its third consecutive gold. Prior to the start of the game, Obama was quoted, "For a very brief period of time, I may not feel as warm towards Canadians as I normally do, at least until those matches are over," in response to the bet he had with Harper.