# Bronze medal Athlete fidgets and fusses during national anthem **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** olympic-sports-track\ **Created:** [June 28, 2021, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174 "2021-06-28T12:04:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/121 "2021-06-29T22:25:20Z")
So specifically, she _qualified_ to be sent to the Olympics. Right now, she’s representing herself, and from her POV, other people that have legitimate beefs with the USA - both historical and present. Second, we have [recent precedent](https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/world-athletics-approves-23-russians-to-compete-as-neutrals-1.5439413) for people to compete based on their athletic merits even if they do not directly represent their nation, such as the recent Russian competitors after Russia itself was unable to compete due to the doping scandal. Admittedly, this is the specific athlete’s issues with the US rather than the US being banned, but it’s still people participating on merit rather than the nation’s recognition. So, I don’t see a major contradiction. For that matter Gwen Berry isn’t [indicating she hates the US](https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/29/sport/gwen-berry-us-olympic-trials-protest-spt-intl/index.html) even though she feels (with cause, again) that the US has not show respect for her people. That’s her opinion, and the US Olympic committee explicitly allows it. > The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee permitted athletes to take part in “respectful demonstrations on the topic of racial and social justice” at the trials, but a [ban](https://cnn.com/2021/04/22/sport/tokyo-2020-olympics-ban-protest-demonstrations-spt-intl/index.html) on “protests and demonstrations” will be in place at the Tokyo Olympics. Now the second sentence may be troublesome for her depending on how it’s applied in Tokyo, but that’ll be another thread (possibly). ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/122 "2021-06-29T22:41:41Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Ffs, dalej consistently using language like “brat,” “child,” “toddler,” “tantrum,” to describe people of color that he disagrees with is barely better than calling a black man “boy.” It’s 100% meant to diminish the person he’s talking about. I’m surprised no one has called her a “thug” yet. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/123 "2021-06-29T22:51:08Z")
She’s getting called out for her hissy fit nothing more. Rn I’m out of pc terms for a sore winner? ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/124 "2021-06-29T23:04:00Z")
Ultimately you are right. I guess I don’t give a crap because. I’ve got that privilege to ignore the activist athletes protests during the games. NTL it’s a valid question, if the anthem with its patriotic shallow bullshit is removed then what happens to the activist athletes movement when they lose that public platform? rN the SSB is a convenient target to air grievances of systemic racism. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/125 "2021-06-29T23:09:35Z")
She’s 32 years old. She’s not a child. She has been a professional athlete for 10 years, is a 3-time national champion, and holds a world record. Calling her a brat and saying she’s having a “hissy fit” is very reductionist. You talk about disrespect in the OP, but are demonstrating none of it in this thread. I’m happy to talk about the merits of her protest and whether or not she is demonstrating patriotism if you’re interested. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/126 "2021-06-29T23:10:07Z")
Has Berry said what her feelings are about the anthem at the Olympics if she won 1st place and it was played at that time? ---
**Author:** ![Ranch\_Dip](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranch_dip/32/5238_2.png) [@Ranch\_Dip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranch_Dip)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/127 "2021-06-29T23:20:18Z")
> [@chela](#): > > It’s not complicated nor tied up in prejudicial projections. Careful, your privilege is showing. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/128 "2021-06-29T23:20:23Z")
I don’t know but I’d hope it’s a moment she can savor. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/129 "2021-06-29T23:28:12Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Is she a brat that shouldn’t go to the Olympics or should her disrespect be respected? Did she qualify? She should go. > [@chela](#): > > The situation is as she said, she felt set up and intentionally disrespected by the organizers. TPTB pissed her off because why? They’re racist? Is this not in the realm of possibility? Maybe it was an accident. Maybe not. It’s not unreasonable for her to think she had been set up. ---
**Author:** ![Ranch\_Dip](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranch_dip/32/5238_2.png) [@Ranch\_Dip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranch_Dip)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/130 "2021-06-29T23:32:23Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > You mean when he got caught pouting on the sideline. But, he’s made his bank riding the activist train so good for him. And no one is boycotting Nike now. Plenty of people boycott Nike for a whole lot of reasons. Kaep didn’t get “caught pouting on the sideline.” He made a consistent and continuing choice to try to use his platform to highlight police brutality. Cuz, you know, that is a real thing. Just ask George Floyd. Oh, right, you can’t. Because he was murdered at the hands of Derek Chauvin and his buddies. But yes, he was just being petulant. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/131 "2021-06-29T23:47:16Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > You talk about disrespect in the OP, but are demonstrating none of it in this thread. I disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2021, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/132 "2021-06-29T23:55:17Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > I disagree. Dagblammit. Thank you for pointing out my blunder. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2021, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/133 "2021-06-30T01:16:41Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Dagblammit. Thank you for pointing out my blunder. Someday I’ll find a podium for pedantry. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2021, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/134 "2021-06-30T01:19:35Z")
Then we can give you your pyrite medal made of pyrite metal and can call it the pedant pendant. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2021, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/135 "2021-06-30T01:39:28Z")
I hate the Australian national anthem (it’s so depressing and downbeat) and frankly would like to see the end of national anthems being played at sporting events. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2021, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/136 "2021-06-30T08:30:02Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > You mean when he got caught pouting on the sideline. But, he’s made his bank riding the activist train so good for him. And no one is boycotting Nike now. Ascribing petty personal motives with no valid basis to a black athlete protesting systemic racism in order to paint that athlete in the most negative light possible? Are you sure you’re not the OP? > [@chela](#): > > She’s getting called out for her hissy fit And you’re getting called out for yours. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2021, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/137 "2021-06-30T11:30:39Z")
Doesn’t anybody remember Hanlon’s Razor? **Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity** Somebody forgot to press the play button. Five minutes later, they went “oh shit” and pressed it. Butthurt prima donna took it personally. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2021, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/138 "2021-06-30T12:03:47Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > **Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity** And yet, history has shown us, it’s often malice. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2021, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/139 "2021-06-30T12:58:29Z")
So, maybe she was stupid in thinking that the one time that they deviated from their schedule, that they did specifically what they said they would _not_ do, and played the anthem during the medal ceremony when she was on the podium, was done on purpose. Why are you taking her reaction personally? ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2021, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174/140 "2021-06-30T12:58:37Z")
If your raison d etre is to shine a light on the plight of your people but then you play the victim because of a mistimed anthem yeah that’s a butt hurt prima Donna on display. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bronze-medal-athlete-fidgets-and-fusses-during-national-anthem/945174.md?page=8)