Hope Solo, a two-time gold medalist for U.S. soccer, has been on the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team since 2000. Last year, she was suspended from the team for thirty days because she was in a car with her husband who was driving drunk at a training camp, according to CNN news. Before that, she was accused of physical abuse against her half-sister and nephew. Now, because of offensive comments directed toward the Swedish women’s team in the 2016 Rio Olympics, she has been suspended for six months and her contract has been discontinued. This means she is not able to return to the team until this February, and will likely never return at all.

In June of 2014, Solo was accused by her half-sister and her nephew of repeatedly hitting both of them in the face and beating her nephew’s head against cement.  Police reports say that she resisted arrest and was insulting the officers, even telling one of them that he was like “a fourteen year old boy.” Solo claimed to be the victim of her nephew’s wrath, but ultimately she was unbelieved. She was charged with two counts of fourth degree domestic violence. U.S. Soccer did not discipline her for these accusations.

During the 2016 Summer Olympics the U.S. was heavily favored  in the match against Sweden, and had won gold in the previous three Olympics. However, Sweden focused on a defensive gameplan, making it difficult for the U.S. to get going on the offensive. The game came down to penalty shots and the Swedes won by only one point. The Americans were shocked at losing to Sweden, and it was the first time in Olympic history that they didn’t reach the final match for the Olympic gold.  A few minutes after the game, Solo gave a post-game interview. Solo’s comments included calling the Swedish team’s game strategy cowardly and saying that the best team did not win.  Later she tried to lighten her previous words.

“You’ve got to take your hat off to them because they beat us…So I guess you can say it’s smart, but I don’t think it’s a respectful game,” Solo said.

The Swedish team eventually won a silver medal in the Olympics. The Swedish Coach, Pia Sundhage, who had previously coached the American team, bluntly responded to Solo.

“It’s OK to be a coward if you win,” Sundhage said.

Solo’s teammates Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, and Alex Morgan all publicly disagreed with Solo’s opinions about the game. They  expressed disappointment that Solo had not acted more responsibly and graciously after the loss.

“I saw her comments, but I feel like those are opinions I don’t share” Morgan said, referring to Solo’s controversial remarks on the game.

Solo has expressed disappointment at U.S. Soccer’s decision to suspend her for 6 months. Her inappropriate behavior in the past also influenced her punishment, according to U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. Hope Solo illustrates that being a talented but ungracious athlete can result in unforeseen consequences.