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U.S. hammer thrower Gwen Berry felt blindsided by “The Star-Spangled Banner” when it performed whereas she was on the rostrum at Hayward Area after inserting third within the hammer throw and qualifying for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
USA Today Sports studies that Berry didn’t anticipate organizers to play the Nationwide Anthem that night time (June 26), and that the athlete felt blindsided.
“I really feel prefer it was a setup. I really feel like they did that on function. And I used to be pissed, to be sincere,” Berry mentioned.
Because the anthem performed, Berry turned away from the American flag and draped a T-shirt that learn “Activist Athlete” over her head.
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Berry informed USA Right now, “It was humorous as a result of they mentioned they had been going to play (the anthem) earlier than we truly walked out, after which it simply so occurred that they performed it once we had been on the market. So, you already know, it is OK. I actually do not need to speak in regards to the anthem as a result of that is not vital.”
“The anthem do not communicate for me. It by no means has,” she added.
Berry positioned third and secured a spot on the Olympic staff for the second Olympics in a row with a throw of 241 ft, 2 inches.
USA Observe & Area consultant Susan Hazzard informed USA Right now, “We didn’t wait till the athletes had been on the rostrum for the hammer throw awards, the nationwide anthem is performed daily based on a beforehand printed schedule. We’re thrilled with the ladies’s hammer throw staff that chosen themselves for the Video games.”
Berry beforehand protested the anthem whereas on the rostrum on the 2019 Pan-American video games, elevating her fist throughout “The Star Spangled Banner.” She has additionally spoken out towards racism and police brutality, and she or he’s a powerful advocate of athletes utilizing their platforms to talk out on political points, together with throughout competitions.
“There are a variety of issues which might be occurring on this world which might be greater than sport. And I simply need all people to grasp that as athletes, we will use our voices – we should always use our voices – to deliver consciousness to those points that affect our communities,” she mentioned Thursday.
Berry informed USA Right now that she has no particular plans for demonstrations in Tokyo, however that she’ll definitely do one thing.
“Sports activities is leisure. However my function and my voice and my mission is greater than the game. So me with the ability to signify my communities and my folks, and those that have died by the hands of police brutality, those that have died (due) to this systemic racism – I really feel like that is the vital half. That is why I am going, and that is why I used to be right here at present,” she mentioned.