Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty
Team USA’s Gwen Berry made a statement at Saturday’s U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon, when she protested the national anthem.
“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.''
USA Track and Field spokeswoman Susan Hazzard noted that the national anthem was scheduled to start at 5:20 p.m. “We didn’t wait until the athletes were on the podium for the hammer throw awards,” Hazzard said. “The national anthem is played every day according to a previously published schedule.'' According to ESPN, the anthem began at 5:25 p.m. on Saturday.
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When “The Star-Spangled Banner” began, gold-medalist DeAnna Price and silver-medalist Brooke Andersen turned to the flag and placed their hands over the hearts to recognize the anthem. Meanwhile, Berry stood on the third-place podium and turned slightly in the other direction, so that she was facing the stands. She put her hand on her hip and fidgeted before draping a black “activist athlete” t-shirt over her head.
“My purpose and my mission is bigger than sports,'' Berry said. “I’m here to represent those … who died due to systemic racism. That’s the important part. That’s why I’m going. That’s why I’m here today.''
Price said she was proud to share the podium with Berry, commending her for her actions. “I think people should say whatever they want to say. I’m proud of her,'' Price said.
In March, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)announced that they would not sanction athletesat the Olympic trials over demonstrations related to social and racial justice.
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“I have confidence you’ll make the best decision for you, your sport and your fellow competitors,” Hirshland wrote in a letter at the time.
source: people.com
