Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Tuesday 26 sepTember 2017
Olympic athletes have slim odds to make anthem statements

By EDDIE PELLS kneel for the anthem. “As them how they feel,” said
AP National Writer athletes who compete for hockey player Troy Terry.
PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Team USA, when it comes “But you won’t see me tak-
Should an American Olym- to the Olympics, I’d like to ing a knee for the national
pian be at the center of think it’s a special event.” anthem, especially at an
attention for the playing John Carlos and Tom- event like the Olympics.”
of the “The Star-Span- mie Smith staged one of Gus Kenworthy, an Olym-
gled Banner” at the Py- the most iconic protests in pic freestyle skiing silver
eongchang Games next sports history, when they medalist who revealed to
year, it would be for only raised their fists during the the public two years ago
one reason: He or she just medals ceremony at the that he is gay, said he sup-
won a gold medal. 1968 Olympics. They were ported the NFL players who
While NFL players have 16 sent home immediately were protesting.
or more chances to kneel, by the U.S. Olympic Com- “I feel proud to be from a
link arms or otherwise show mittee, which spent de- country where we have the
signs of solidarity this sea- cades wrestling with how right to be able to say how
son, an Olympic champi- and whether the sprinters we feel, speak up for what
on may get only one — a should be honored. we believe in,” he said. “I
fact that complicates the The International Olym- think it’s important for peo-
question of whether to use pic Committee has rules ple to use their platform to
that moment to make a against using the games stand up for what they be-
statement.“For me, one for political statements, lieve in.”Members of the
of the proudest parts of though Scott Blackmun U.S. Olympic team are typi-
being an American is the of the U.S. Olympic Com- cally invited to the White
ability to have freedom of mittee said, “Our stance House, though Kenworthy
speech, and I look up to on this is fairly clear, and said he would not attend
athletes who take a stand we recognize the rights if asked. As to whether he
for what they believe in,” of athletes to express would kneel or make some
said Olympic champion In this Oct. 16, 1968, file photo, extending gloved hands sky- themselves.”Whether they statement were he to land
skier Julia Mancuso, one ward in racial protest, U.S. athletes Tommie Smith, center, and would, though, is a differ- on top of the podium next
of many U.S. athletes who John Carlos stare downward during the playing of “The Star- ent matter. year, he said, “Knowing
Spangled Banner” after Smith received the gold and Carlos
were asked Monday about the bronze medal in the 200 meter run at the Summer Olympic “I definitely think those me, I probably would, but
President Donald Trump’s Games in Mexico City. people are entitled to their I don’t like to plan those
criticism of NFL players who Associated Press opinions and can express things.”q