“I feel like it was a set-up”: Athlete, opponents outraged over anthem controversy

A national anthem controversy at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials over the weekend has even the athlete who was protesting outraged.

For the past week, they’ve played the national anthem one time a night at the trials.

On Saturday, the song happened to start while outspoken activist Gwen Berry was standing on the podium after receiving her bronze medal in the hammer throw.

While the music played, Berry placed her left hand on her hip and shuffled her feet. She took a quarter turn, so she was facing the stands, not the flag. Toward the end, she plucked up her black T-shirt with the words “Activist Athlete” emblazoned on the front, and draped it over her head.

According to a spokesperson for USA Track and Field, the national anthem was scheduled to play at 5:20 p.m. Saturday. It played at 5:25 p.m.

“I feel like it was a set-up, and they did it on purpose,” Berry said of the timing of the anthem. “I was pissed, to be honest.”

Meanwhile, critics of anthem protests let their voices heard on social media. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted, “Why does the Left hate America? Sure, we have our faults, but no nation in the history of the world has liberated more people from captivity, has lifted more out of poverty, has bled more for freedom, or has blessed more w/ abundance.”

In response to Cruz, and other opponents, Berry tweeted, “Thank you! I never said I hated this country! People try to put words in my mouth but they can’t. That’s why I speak out.”

This is not the first time Berry has drawn attention for national anthem protests at major competitions. She was suspended for a year for raising her fist during the anthem at the 2019 Pan-American Games.