American Olympian Gwen Berry turned away from the American flag during the national anthem and said she was "p***ed" that it was played.
The Black Lives Matter activist made the decision to turn from the flag as she stood on a podium during a trial event on Saturday, June 26.
She said that she believes the anthem was played as "a set-up" and that it was done "on purpose", per The Sun.
Watch the moment Berry turns away from the American flag below:The music began to play as the athlete stood on the podium, having received a bronze medal for her hammer throw.
In response, she put a hand on her hip and turned to face the stands instead of the American flag - a stark contrast to the response of the other two competitors who put their hands on their hearts.
When the song ended, she pulled up her shirt to show that she was wearing a black T-shirt with the words "Activist Athlete" on the front.
"I feel like it was a setup, and they did it on purpose,'' Berry said of the anthem's timing.
"I was p***ed, to be honest. They said they were going to play it before we walked out, then they played it when we were out there.
"But I don't really want to talk about the anthem because that's not important. The anthem doesn't speak for me. It never has."
Per The Sun, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee has said that athletes are free to protest however they see fit during the national anthem.
Berry commended this decision to give people this choice on social media, writing: "We did it... we are making history.
"Shoutout to all those involved in the amazing movement!!"
She explained that her aim is "bigger than the sport" she wants to represent "her communities and people".
"I'm here to represent those who died due to systemic racism," she said. "That's the important part. That's why I'm going. That's why I'm here today.''
According to a published schedule cited by the Sun, the USA Track and Field said the anthem was played daily at the trials.
"The national anthem was scheduled to play at 5.20 pm," spokeswoman Susan Hazzard said.
"We didn't wait until the athletes were on the podium for the hammer throw awards. The national anthem is played every day according to a previously published schedule."
