A U.S. hammer thrower turned away from the American flag as she stood on the medal podium on the Olympic trials throughout the nationwide anthem on Saturday, saying she’s “pissed” the Star-Spangled Banner was performed as she acquired her bronze medal.
Gwen Berry — who certified for her second U.S. Olympic workforce throughout the trials — shifted to face the stands moderately than the flag earlier than holding up a black shirt that reads “Activist Athlete.”
“I really feel prefer it was a set-up, they usually did it on goal,” Berry stated of the timing of the anthem. “I used to be pissed, to be trustworthy.”
“That they had sufficient alternatives to play the nationwide anthem earlier than we obtained up there,” Berry stated in Oregon, the place the trials are being held. “I used to be occupied with what I ought to do. Finally I stayed there and I swayed, I put my shirt over my head. It was actual disrespectful.”
Berry went on to name the enjoying of the nationwide anthem a “arrange” and that she didn’t plan on staging a protest.
‘”I didn’t actually wish to be up there,” she stated. “Like I stated, it was a setup. I used to be sizzling, I used to be able to take my photos and get into some shade.”
And so, whereas winner DeAnna Worth and second-place finisher Brooke Andersen stood nonetheless on the rostrum with their palms over the hearts and stared straight forward on the American and Oregon flags, Berry fidgeted and paced on the third step. Then turned away. And eventually grabbed her T-shirt.
“They stated they had been going to play it earlier than we walked out, then they performed it after we had been on the market,” Berry stated. “However I don’t actually wish to speak concerning the anthem as a result of that’s not essential. The anthem doesn’t communicate for me. It by no means has.”
“My goal and my mission is greater than sports activities,” Berry stated. “I’m right here to characterize these … who died resulting from systemic racism. That’s the essential half. That’s why I’m going. That’s why I’m right here as we speak.”
A USA Observe and Area rep disputed Berry’s characterization of the anthem enjoying.
“The nationwide anthem was scheduled to play at 5:20 p.m. as we speak,” stated spokeswoman Susan Hazzard. “We didn’t wait till the athletes had been on the rostrum for the hammer throw awards. The nationwide anthem is performed every single day based on a beforehand revealed schedule.” On Saturday, the music began at 5:25.
This isn’t the primary time Berry has brought on controversy.
US Olympic athletes had been prohibited in January 2020 from making political statements throughout anthems, after Berry was placed on probation for elevating her fist throughout the Pan-American Video games in Peru in August 2019. US Olympic and Paralympic Committee in April reversed course, permitting kneeling and different types of protests throughout the nationwide anthem.
-With Publish wires
