Menu

Topics

Connect

Comments

Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.

Katie Couric’s Olympic flub gets a cheeky response from Netherlands’ embassy

NBC journalist Katie Couric and husband John Molner attend the 2018 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 12. Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

NBC journalist Katie Couric is drawing criticism for comments she made about the Netherlands while anchoring the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: Canadian Olympics junkies keeping odd hours to catch live events

The TV personality claimed that the Dutch use skating as a means of transportation, because cold weather leaves their canals frozen.

READ MORE: Pyeongchang or PyeongChang — What’s the right way to spell the Olympic town?

“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,” she said.

WATCH: Speed skater Denny Morrison’s road to the Pyeongchang Olympics

She claimed that is why the country’s speed skaters are so successful in races.

Story continues below advertisement

But, as several Twitter users pointed out, Netherlands’ climate is relatively mild. And the canals often don’t freeze over in the winter, or at least not all season.

WATCH: Japanese athlete expelled from Olympics over doping

And the warmer weather actually means that biking is one of the most common ways of getting around.

Couric’s statement prompted sarcastic remarks from Twitter users.

Story continues below advertisement

One user jokingly claimed that Dutch use the canals in the summer to swim to grocery stores. Another posted a picture of speed skaters saying it was “rush hour” in Netherlands.

Couric’s flub even drew the attention of the Netherlands’ U.S. embassy, who used the attention the country was receiving for a tourism plug.

“We’d love to show you all the innovative ways the Dutch get around,” the embassy tweeted at Couric. “Of course, we can also visit our famous skating rinks. Let’s break the ice!”

READ MORE: Canada’s Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris win gold in curling mixed doubles

The TV personality responded to the viral comment in stride, apologizing for her mistake.

Story continues below advertisement
“I was trying to salute your historical passion for the sport but it didn’t come out that way,” she wrote. “I’d [love] to visit again and celebrate your success!”

While the light-hearted Twitter spat occurred, Dutch athletes were busy showing off their skills. The country currently has 10 medals — four gold, four silver and two bronze — in the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

Advertisement

You are viewing an Accelerated Mobile Webpage.

View Original Article