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 <a href="https://www.the-sun.com/news/3166837/olympian-turns-away-us-flag/">The Sun</a>. Watch the moment Berry turns away from the American flag below:  [[youtubewidget||https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkpod4_b_pk]] 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. <img class="wp-image-1263115229 " src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/Olympian1.jpg" alt="Gwen Barry" width="653" height="480" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Alamy / REUTERS]] "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 <a href="https://www.the-sun.com/news/3166837/olympian-turns-away-us-flag/">The Sun</a>, 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!!" <img class="wp-image-1263115227 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2021/06/Screen-Shot-2021-06-28-at-11.17.41.png" alt="An Instagram comment." width="516" height="435" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Instagram / mzberrythrows]] 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." <h6>Featured image credit: Alamy / REUTERS</h6>

US Olympian Gwen Berry turns away from American flag and says she was ‘p***ed’ anthem was played

Top Stories

Entertainment

Blac Chyna lost 10 pounds after removing silicone from her butt

Entertainment

Brad Pitt reportedly sells LA home for $39 million - after buying it for just $1.7 million

Entertainment

YouTuber MrBeast splits opinion as he 'tips' server a new car

Entertainment

Keanu Reeves only says 380 words in almost 3-hour long 'John Wick 4'

Entertainment

Keanu Reeves says his last moment of 'bliss' was in bed with 'my honey'

Entertainment

Bhad Bhabie marks 20th birthday by giving her mom a lap dance