Alright, folks, let's talk about something a little uncomfortable. During the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Games on February 9, NBC Olympics correspondent Katie Couric found herself in a bit of a sticky situation. While introducing the Netherlands during the Parade of Nations alongside co-host Mike Tirico, Katie made a comment about the Dutch and their impressive speed skating skills that didn't quite land as intended.
Here's what she said: "Next is the Netherlands — it's probably not a surprise to tell you the Dutch are really, really good at speed skating." She continued, "All but five of the 110 medals they've won have been on the speed skating oval. Now, why are they so good, you may be asking yourselves? Because skating is an important mode of transportation in a city like Amsterdam, which sits at sea-level. As you all know, it has lots of canals that can freeze in the winter, so for as long as those canals have existed, the Dutch have skated on them to get from place to place, to race each other, and also to have fun."
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View this post on InstagramThanks @miketiriconbc!! You’re a real pro!! @nbcolympics #openingceremony #winterolympics #pyeongchang2018 🏅
Public Reaction: Not Everyone Was Impressed
Now, here's the kicker. After Katie's comments aired, a wave of criticism came flooding in from Dutch citizens who took to social media to express their thoughts. One Twitter user, @JosDuijvestein, wasn't holding back. He wrote, "You just can’t make this up. NBC opening ceremony coverage. Katie Couric talks about why the Netherlands is so good at speed skating as the Netherlands enters the stadium. And this folks is why Americans are less bright about the rest of the world as they spread fake news!"
And then there was @GertvanDijk, who had a little fun with it, quipping, "Dear @KatieCouric, the Dutch do NOT skate to work. Skating on clogs is too hard, even for us." It's clear that not everyone was on board with Katie's explanation of Dutch skating prowess.
Embassy Gets Involved: A Warm Invitation
Katie's comment even caught the attention of the Netherlands Embassy Twitter account. They chimed in with a friendly and inviting message: "Hi, @KatieCouric, please come visit the Netherlands. We’d love to show you all the innovative ways the Dutch get around ⚡???️ and [how we] are building the future of transportation. Of course, we can also visit our famous skating rinks. Let’s break the ice!"
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View this post on InstagramLet the games begin! #winterolympics #pyeongchang2018 #sandandsnow 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🏅🏅🏅👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Katie Couric Steps Up: A Heartfelt Apology
Recognizing the backlash her comments generated, Katie Couric took to Twitter to offer a sincere apology. She tweeted, "Congrats, #Netherlands on your [medal] count so far! My apologies for being on thin ice for my comments regarding skating on canals. I was trying to salute your historical passion for the sport but it didn’t come out that way! I’d love to visit again and celebrate your success!"
And it seems her apology was well-received. Twitter user @JosDuijvestein, whose tweet originally went viral, returned to the platform to say, "Comment from @KatieCouric after my tweet went viral and had awesome comments. Nice response. Now let’s celebrate the coming together of all nations under the umbrella of sport, and however you get around, skate, camel, horse, kangaroo, chased by polar bears or lions, do it safely."
So, there you have it. Katie Couric learned a valuable lesson about cultural sensitivity and the power of a heartfelt apology. Let's all take a moment to appreciate the beauty of sports bringing people together, despite the occasional misstep.
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