Olympic Thrower Who Turned Away From American Flag Pushes Back After Criticism
After qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics by finishing third in the US Olympic track and field trials on Saturday, hammer thrower Gwen Berry faced away from the American flag during the playing of the National Anthem.
Most people would predict tears of excitement after achieving such a milestone, but Berry went in a different direction.
Berry turned toward the spectators as the National Anthem played and, towards the ending, pulled up a black t-shirt with the words “Activist Athlete” on the front to cover her head.
Rep. Mike Loychik wrote in response to Berry turning away, “If you won’t stand proudly for the anthem, you don’t deserve to stand for Team USA. Gwen Berry should be BANNED from the Olympics!”
If you won’t stand proudly for the anthem, you don’t deserve to stand for Team USA.
Gwen Berry should be BANNED from the Olympics! https://t.co/nflrt8pmII
— Representative Mike Loychik (@MikeLoychik) June 28, 2021
Sports center reported, “She felt the timing of the anthem was ‘a set up.’
As the national anthem played while Gwen Berry was on the podium after qualifying for the Olympics, she turned away from the flag and draped a T-shirt with the words “Activist Athlete” over her head.
She felt the timing of the anthem was “a setup”: https://t.co/cE22DCQCxBpic.twitter.com/HPPnR2xXyr
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 27, 2021
“I feel like it was setup,” Berry said. “I feel like they did that on purpose, and I was pissed, to be honest. I was thinking about what should I do. Eventually, I just stayed there and just swayed. I put my shirt over my head. It was real disrespectful. I know they did that on purpose, but it’ll be all right. I see what’s up.”
“It was funny because they said they were going to play it before we walked out,” Berry said according to The Washington Post. “It just happened they played it when we were out there. So, you know, it’s okay. I really don’t want to talk about the anthem because that’s not important. The anthem don’t speak for me. It never has.”
The decision has sparked anger, with some demanding for Berry’s removal from the Olympic team.
Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) stated on “Fox & Friends,” “We don’t need any more activist athletes. She should be removed from the team. The entire point of the Olympic team is to represent the United States of America. It’s the entire point.”
Berry has responded on social media.
“These comments really show that: 1.) people in American rally patriotism over basic morality 2.) Even after the murder of George Floyd and so many others; the commercials, statements, and phony sentiments regarding black lives were just a hoax,” Berry wrote.
These comments really show that:
1.) people in American rally patriotism over basic morality
2.) Even after the murder of George Floyd and so many others; the commercials, statements, and phony sentiments
Source: The Gateway Pundit
