Site icon Side Action

Fans React To Olympian Hammer Thrower Gwen Berry Protest Of The National Anthem

Gwen Berry

Gwen Berry protests national anthem

Fans are speaking out after Olympic qualifier Gwen Berry supposedly protested the Star-Spangled Banner at the U.S. National trials on Saturday.

[SideAction-ad-group]

Berry had just finished third in the hammer throw which solidified her spot on the U.S. National team and punched her ticket to the Tokyo Olympics.

Berry was spotted turning away from the flag with her hands on her hips while the national anthem played. She then pulled out a black t-shirt that read “Activist Athlete” and draped it over her head.

She also has a history of activism. When she won gold at the 2019 Pan-Am games she raised her fist as the Star-Spangled Banner ended. She said then that it was a protest against injustice in the U.S. and the presidency of Donald Trump.

Even with her actions, she is saying that she was set up and that “they” (the U.S. Olympic committee) did it on purpose.

USA Track and Field spokeswoman Susan Hazzard said that “the national anthem was scheduled to play at 5.20 P.M. We didn’t wait until the athletes were on the podium for the hammer throw awards. The national anthem is played every day according to a previously published schedule.” On Saturday, the music started at 5.25 P.M.

Fans have been voicing their opinion about the incident all weekend.

It’ll be interesting to see what comes from this situation. Some feel as though she was set up, some believe and support what she is doing, while others believe that she should be kicked off the team. If she does have some sort of protest during the Olympics she could very well be fined or even worse.


Welcome to the game outside the game! Follow us on our Sideaction Twitter handle, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest on sports and pop culture news across the web!