Athletes and politics: it’s really getting old

As we approach the Fourth of July, one of our nation’s most revered and celebrated holidays, we also look forward to the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan set for July 23 though Aug. 8. Postponed a year due to COVID, the Games are a reality again.
    I took time to watch the U.S. gymnastics trials the past week—especially the women’s competition—when Simone Biles once again mesmerized the audience before she and five of her teammates were selected for the team. It seems like the Summer Olympics and the Fourth of July go hand-in-hand when it comes to patriotism.
    Or, so it would seem.
    Unfortunately, some of our U.S. athletes chose to put the spotlight on themselves—instead of their country—with flag disrespect during the U.S. trials.
    Gwen Berry is one such example. She placed third in the hammer throw in the U.S. track and field trials, but turned away from the rising U.S. flag during the national anthem, saying it doesn’t represent her. She cites a line in the anthem that speaks of slavery. There is reportedly a debate on that very line, whether it has racist undertones or is just rhetorical.
    Whatever it does mean, standing as a soon-to-be Olympian is not the place to make a statement about it. Write to the federal agency that handles such matters, form a group to approach Congress or take the mic at news outlets and on social media. Make your statement on your own time, away from the limelight—but that’s not what an athlete like her wants.
    But, I’m sure she’ll take her free trip to Japan, without complaint, which will be provided by supporters of Olympics across our country. We’ll see if she even places in Japan; if she does, we’ll see if she continues her disrespect.
    What’s sad about the whole hammer throw controversy is that it took the spotlight off the first place gold medalist at the trials—DeAnna Price, who broke the meet and U.S. record twice at the trials to win the hammer throw and make her second Olympic team. She became only the second woman to throw the 8.8 lb. ball and chain over 80 meters.
    There might be more to Berry’s actions, which she said had to do with the national anthem wording. News outlets are reporting this week one of Berry’s sponsors is Color of Change, a left-wing group that advocates, unapologetically, for defunding the police.
    Thankfully, most of the U.S. athletes at the Olympics later this month will show respect as they represent their country. We can take solace in that.
    We can also feel thankful we live in a country that allows disrespect like Berry’s, even as the individual is representing the United States. Celebrate that this Fourth of July.