“We refuse to believe that,” McGregor said as he choked back the tears. “You have to maintain that belief.”
Pauls, who became the first sled hockey player to win four gold medals, indicated the U.S. probably has increased its lead over the rest of the world, although he and other U.S. players acknowledged the role the pandemic played in this Olympic cycle. The U.S. may have had an advantage in preparation over countries with longer and more strict anti-infection rules, like Canada.
But Pauls also noted that this U.S. team was a more tight-knit group than any of the others he played on, and it led to remarkable dedication and hard work, he said, especially from Lee.
And if four lopsided scores were not enough of a warning that the U.S. did not plan to ease its grip on world sled hockey dominance, Pauls used words, too.
“We have the blueprint and we set the tone,” he said. “It’s going to be up to the other countries to match it.”
Amy Chang Chien contributed reporting