Katie Couric issued an apology for suggesting during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony that the Dutch use ice skating as a primary means of transportation.
Couric said the Netherlands "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." Her comments drew criticism on Twitter, causing the Netherland Embassy to weigh in on the issue, Page Six reports.
"Hi @katiecouric, please come visit the Netherlands. We’d love to show you all the innovative ways the Dutch get around 🚴🚘⚡🚊🚄🛥, & are building the future of transportation. Of course, we can also visit our famous skating rinks. Let’s break the ice!" the Netherland Embassy tweeted.
"You just can’t make this up," Dutch citizen Jos Duijvestein tweeted. "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!"
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! pic.twitter.com/7YC5deTl2w
— Jos Duijvestein 🇳🇱 (@JosDuijvestein) February 10, 2018
Monday evening, Couric congratulated the Netherlands on its medal count and apologized for her comments, tweeting "my apologies for being on thin ice for my comments."
"Congrats #Netherlands on your 🥇count so far!" She tweeted. "My apologies for being on thin ice for my comments re: skating on canals. I was trying to salute your historical passion for the sport but it didn’t come out that way! I’d ❤️ to visit again & celebrate your success! 🇳🇱"
Dutch Ambassador to the United States Henne Schuwer also weighed in, encouraging Couric to hold to her word and revisit the country.
"Please do come to the Netherlands @katiecouric. And when (🤞) you do, I’ll be glad to host you in Amsterdam and show the historic canals." Schuwer said.
In the end, the Dutch Embassy accepted Couric's apology, saying they would let it "slide."
"We’re letting it slide @katiecouric 😉 and apologies accepted! Enjoy the rest of the Winter Olympics (with hopefully more Dutch medals). We’d love to help you visit the Netherlands to talk about where we’ve been and show you where we’re going. Just say when, and we’ll be there!" the tweet read.
We’re letting it slide @katiecouric 😉 and apologies accepted! Enjoy the rest of the Winter Olympics (with hopefully more Dutch medals). We’d love to help you visit the Netherlands to talk about where we’ve been and show you where we’re going. Just say when, and we’ll be there! https://t.co/qD5SIqHS9l
— Netherlands Embassy 🇺🇸 (@NLintheUSA) February 13, 2018