Anthem-Protestor Gwen Berry Fails In Humiliating Fashion At The Olympics

Gwen Berry finished in eleventh place out of twelve competitors in the women’s hammer throw finals on Tuesday at the Tokyo Olympics. One month ago, she made headlines by turning her back during the national anthem at the Olympic trials.

And, she raised a clenched fist right before the hammer throw competition taking advantage of the IOC’s relaxed rules about gestures.

Obviously Berry was hoping to win at the Tokyo Olympics and would have likely made some type of statement on the podium. 

Gwen Berry Flops At Olympics

The 32 year-old competitor only managed to register a distance of 71.35 meters with her throw.

After coming in third place in the Olympic trials in June, Berry turned her back during the national anthem. She also put a T-shirt over her face that read “Activist Athlete.”

Here’s a video of her discussing her decision to turn away from the American flag.

Afterwards, she said that she was “pissed” that the anthem was played, and that she felt it was a setup. 

“If you know your history, you know the full song of the national anthem,” Berry told the Black News Channel. “The third paragraph speaks to slaves in America — our blood being slain … all over the floor.” 

Back Story: Hammer Thrower Gwen Berry Protests National Anthem At US Olympic Trials

Berry Sounds Off

Berry recently said that she would “represent the oppressed people” if she were to win a medal in Tokyo, adding, “that’s been my message for the last three years.” 

Before the hammer throw finals on Tuesday, Berry raised her fist and said that she’s “ready to change some stuff for real.” 

“I’m just here to represent, man,” she said, according to CNN. “I know a lot of people like me, a lot of athletes like me, a lot of people are scared to succeed or speak out. As long as I can represent those people, I’m fine.”

However, Berry didn’t even come close to getting a medal. Therefore, she never got the opportunity to disrespect our country on the international stage.

“I’m feeling tired man, I’m kinda bumped. I feel like my body just didn’t work, and I was shutting down too much,” she said after the finals. “So then, when it came time to be clutch, I just didn’t trust myself enough to go. I’m not mad at myself. I conquered a lot of fears today.”

Related: Gwen Berry Says She’s ‘Earned The Right To Wear This Uniform’ After Turning Her Back On National Anthem

Berry Lashes Out At Her Haters

Berry also took to Twitter to send a message to any haters who are happy that she didn’t medal. 

“People hate me when I succeed. People show me hate when I don’t,” she wrote. “Either way … my message still remains. I still will be an advocate for CHANGE and SOCIAL JUSTICE.”

While we hate to root against any American athletes competing at the Olympics, we are certainly glad that Berry did not get the chance to show off her disdain for America in front of the entire world on the podium.

Some people just simply do not deserve to win medals for the United States.