Hammer thrower has long history of protest against injusticeAnthem was played later than usual on Saturday nightOlympic hammer thrower Gwen Berry says she was “set up” after turning away from the flag during a medal ceremony at the US Olympic trials on Saturday night.
The 31-year-old has a long history of activism and raised her fist as The Star-Spangled Banner ended when she won gold at the 2019 Pan
American Games, something she said was a protest against injustice in the US and the presidency of
Donald Trump. On Saturday, the anthem started as Berry was on the podium after finishing third in the trials. While the
music played, Berry placed her left hand on her hip and shuffled her feet. She took a turn, so she was facing the stands, not the flag. Toward the end of the anthem, she picked up her black T-shirt with the words “Activist Athlete” emblazoned on the front, and draped it over her head.