Hammer thrower Gwen Berry turned away from the American flag on Saturday while on the podium for a medal ceremony at the U.S. Olympic trials, saying it was 'disrespectful' to play the national anthem while she took a bronze medal. While the anthem played at the trials in Eugene, Oregon, Berry placed her left hand on her hip and shuffled her feet. 'We didn't wait until the athletes were on the podium for the hammer throw awards,' spokeswoman Susan Hazzard said in a statement. 'We're thrilled with the women's hammer throw team that selected themselves for the Games,' added Hazzard. The women's hammer throw starts August 1 in Tokyo.

Source: The Nation June 27, 2021 15:56 UTC