Tough call as Olympian turns away from National Anthem

     Before I get into the meat of my column this week, I want to preface by saying this is not meant to stage an argument over whether it’s PC (politically correct) or not for U.S. athletes in any sport, on any level, to protest the National Anthem and U.S. Flag. We are all entitled to our opinions, and that’s why I’m choosing to express mine on a specific incident in my weekly opinion column…

     Last week, Gwen Berry, a Team U.S. Olympic athlete in the hammer-throwing event came in third place in her event during the Olympic trials. Despite placing third, Berry still earned a spot on the team and will compete in just a couple of weeks at the Games in Tokyo.

     During the medal ceremony of the trial event, the National Anthem began to play and Berry turned away from facing the flag on her third-place podium. She then held up a shirt that read “Activist Athlete.” The first- and second-place finishers stood on their respective podiums, hands on their hearts.

     Berry’s actions during the Olympic trials were permissible. She said the National Anthem does not represent her, and her stance was to honor those affected by systematic racism. According to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, athletes are allowed “respectful demonstrations on the topic of racial and social justice.” However, such actions will not be tolerated during the actual Olympic Games.

     I am all for freedom of expression. Previous acts of pro athletes honoring their convictions during the anthem didn’t greatly affect me.

     But, Berry, 31, is no stranger to the Olympics. Anyone who has ever seen the Olympics or has taken part knows that the National Anthem is played during every single medal ceremony if a member of Team USA wins first place. (The national anthem from the country of every first-place athlete is played.) So, if she’s against the anthem playing now, what is she going to do when or if she wins during the Games and it begins to play? Protests are not allowed, in fact they’re banned, during the Olympics.

     Berry tried out for the Olympics. She had to know the high likelihood of the National Anthem playing at some point. Team USA has always fared well at both the Summer and Winter Games. I never get tired of hearing the anthem playing over and over again as our athletes take the top spot.

     If Berry feels as strongly as she does about social injustice and not feeling as though the anthem and flag represent all U.S. citizens equally, then perhaps representing the United States on Team USA is not for her… Especially when her activism won’t be looked upon as favorable.

     This is a touchy subject as we’ve seen pro athletes from all sports show their stance on social injustice, kneeling during the anthem, wearing articles of clothing expressing their viewpoints. Again, I have no problem with that.

     I also a big proponent of one’s right to protest, peacefully. Make your voices heard loud and clear!

     But when it’s no secret that protests are banned during the Olympics, and when an athlete is actually trying out to land a spot on Team USA as a show of patriotism, turning away from the National Anthem and the raising of the flag just seems wrong.