Olympic Track & Field qualifer disrespects national anthem

[Da Coach]

The 3rd place qualifer in the US Olympic trials for the women's hammer throw, Gwen Berry, demonstrated on the podium while the national anthem was being played. Then later when interviewed and asked about her actions, tried to make it all about herself being disrespected.

"I feel like it was a setup, and they did it on purpose,'' said the outspoken activist, who's promised to use her platform at the Tokyo Olympics to raise awareness of social injustice in the U.S. "I was pissed, to be honest.''
"They said they were going to play it before we walked out, then they played it when we were out there,'' Berry added. "But I don't really want to talk about the anthem because that's not important. The anthem doesn't speak for me. It never has.''

https://www.espn.com/olympics/tracka...k-field-trials
https://nypost.com/2021/06/27/us-oly...rs-and-stripes

For the record, the International Olympic Committee Rule 50 forbids any form of "demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda" in arenas or on podiums. However, since this was the US Olympic trials, those IOC rules do not apply. The USOC does allow respectful demonstrations.
https://www.voanews.com/usa/us-olymp...olympic-trials

I'll be the first to stand up for any individual to have their own voice and opinions. But there is an appropriate time and place for that.
I'm sure there are some who think this is brave and worthy of praise. I find this selfish and disrespectful.
Feel free to comment.

[PhiAlphaBoy]

She wanted the attention, but when she got it and was met with backlash instead of praise she tried to deflect and blame... That's just weak and disengenous. You can't have it both ways.

[Tommy]

I'm not sure why the USOC would allow someone to disrespect the flag. Isn't the whole point of the USOC to send a delegation of athletes to represent our country and flag?

In any case, I'd recommend to Ms. Berry that if she doesn't respect our country or flag that she finds one she does and go represent that one instead.

Disgraceful.

[Da Coach]

For the record, Gwen Berry was a very successful women's track and field athlete in the Missouri Valley Conference for SIU.
Their alumni and boosters were once very proud of her accomplishments and success, but many are now disgusted at her antics.

[Tommy]

DeAnna Price won the event with a throw of 263 feet, 6 inches (80.31 meters), which was nearly 7 feet longer than Berry's throw. Price broke the meet record on four of her six throws, and the last two of those throws also broke the American record. Second place belonged to Brooke Andersen.

1st and 2nd place showed due respect to the flag and our country. This should be the story.

[molar50]

It is interesting when sports and politics mix and both are used for someone's agenda. I personally don't think Gwen Berry advanced her "agenda" with her actions. Throughout history, the issue of sports and politics has been used by politicians and athletes. There is a book about the 1936 Olympics, Olympic Pride, American Prejudice, that I found enlightening.

[Da Coach]

DeAnna Price won the event with a throw of 263 feet, 6 inches (80.31 meters), which was nearly 7 feet longer than Berry's throw. Price broke the meet record on four of her six throws, and the last two of those throws also broke the American record. Second place belonged to Brooke Andersen.

1st and 2nd place showed due respect to the flag and our country. This should be the story.

Ironically, the top qualifier and American record holder DeAnna Price also competed in the MVC for SIU, as did Gwen Berry. Price is 4 years younger than Berry, so I don't think they were at SIU at the same time. But it is unusual to have 2 of the 3 Olympic qualifiers in both 2016 & 2020 from the same MVC school.