Hammer thrower Gwen Berry, who is set to represent Team USA later this month at the Tokyo Games, is back in the spotlight after problematic tweets have been uncovered.
Based on tweets posted to her verified account, some being decades old – which were still public as of publication – she has tweeted the R-word extensively, made facetious threats to stomp a child, made jokes about rape, offered commentary on White people and made generalizations about Chinese people.
Berry initially came under fire on last Saturday for turning her back to the American flag while the national anthem played. She also draped a shirt that read “Activist Athlete” over her face.
Her demonstration led to calls from conservative voices for her to step aside. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., have been among the loudest voices. Berry has also received support from many on social media, including Olympic legend Michael Johnson. But she vowed to compete.
“The point is to compete … which I will be doing,” she fired back at critics.
The point is to compete … which I will be doing ☺️☺️ https://t.co/PUYGb6jqfX
— Gwen Berry OLY (@MzBerryThrows) July 1, 2021
Purrr trash representing USA.
If Gwen Berry hates America so much why doesn’t she just leave the county that gave her this fantastic chance to be a positive role model for kids? I feel sorry for her and pity her. Jon E. Jrr.
We don’t need that representing our country.
The point is you representing the United States of American by having the honor to compete. Dont understand that, we dont need you representing the USA.