Is Olympian Gwen Berry's Disgraceful 'Athlete Activism' Productive?
On Saturday, Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry turned her back on the American flag as the U.S. National Anthem played. Her disgraceful act of so-called activism took place as she stood atop the podium to receive her third-place bronze medal at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon. When asked if President Biden supports Berrys behavior during the National Anthem, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said:  Press Sec. Jen Psaki says Pres. Biden supports Olympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry who snubbed the US flag: A part of that pride in our country means recognizing there are moments where we as a country haven't lived up to our highest ideals." pic.twitter.com/A8hXvYDNsz  Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 28, 2021  Several conservative pundits called out Berrys disrespectful behavior and some called for her removal from Team USA altogether:  Athletes that dont honor the American flag should be banned from all competition. Gwen Berry, just the latest self-righteous narcissist who hates America. Kick her off the team.  Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 28, 2021  Dan Crenshaw calls for Gwen Berry to be removed from the Olympic team because she turned away from the flag pic.twitter.com/c2xWKLXPPJ  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 28, 2021  While most Americans recognize Berrys right as an American citizen to protest, in todays socio-political climate there are certainly more effective ways to go about gaining the respect and, ultimately, the change she seeks. This isnt hard. Good sportsmanship costs nothing. Fine, stand silently while it plays. But deliberately showing disrespect by turning your back, covering your head with an activist t-shirt, and diminishing the experience of your fellow teammates (who both happened to have earned a higher medal than you) is not only unacceptable to most Americans, it also goes against the International Olympic Committees (IOC) own Rule 50. Rule 50 states: No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.  Rule 50 is in place to keep the field of play, the Olympic Village and the podium neutral and free from any form of political, religious or ethnic demonstrations. We believe the focus at the Olympic Games must remain on athletes performances, sport and the international unity and harmony that the Olympic Movement seeks to advance. When an individual makes their grievances, however legitimate, more important than the feelings of their competitors and the competition itself, the unity and harmony as well as the celebration of sport and human accomplishment are diminished. The aim of Rule 50 is that each and every athlete can enjoy the experience of the Olympic Games without any divisive disruption. Good sportsmanship and pride in the sportif not the country you representshould come before any so-called activism. Berry needs to remember that as an Olympic athlete she represents all Americans of all races and persuasions. She doesnt simply represent herself and the black community. Yes, athletes have a right to protest the social justice du jour. However, the American people also have a right to be represented by Team USA with dignity and respect on the world stage. According to the IOC, the three values it promotes through its Olympic athletes are excellence, friendship, and respect:  The original values of Olympism as expressed in the Olympic Charter were to encourage effort, preserve human dignity and develop harmony. Over time, they have evolved and are now expressed in more contemporary terms as: Striving for excellence and encouraging people to be the best they can be. Celebrating friendship, which is quite unique to the Olympic Games  an event that brings people together every few years. Demonstrating respect in many different manners: respect towards yourself, the rules, your opponents, the environment, the public, etc. Respect. Not only is respect valued by the IOC, it is expected of its athletes. Good sportsmanship would definitely be more productive as a way to garner everyday Americans admiration and respect. Berry could leverage that after her Olympic career to use in true social activism for real change. Her symbolic angry and disrespectful activism wont result in the outcome shes looking for: real substantial societal change. No, but being disrespectful and divisive while on an Olympic podium for all the world to see is absolutely not a productive way to create positive change. 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. God bless America. https://t.co/7hH1FMzEn0  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 28, 2021  Americaas imperfect as it ishas provided athletes like Berry with many opportunities. And as it says in the IOC guidelines, there is more that unites us than divides us.  Related: Rep. Crenshaw: Gwen Berry Should Be Booted From U.S. Olympic Team. Berry Responds. Gwen Berry would do well to remember that.