Olympics-Bound Athlete Protests US Flag and Anthem, Claims It Was Part of a 'Set Up' Targeting Her

A U.S. athlete who in the past showed her disdain for the 🎵National anthem reacted to hearing the “Star-Spangled Banner” Saturday by taking posturing in protest to a new extreme.

Gwen Berry had placed third in the hammer throw during the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene Oregon, and was getting her bronze medal when the anthem began playing.

“I feel like it was set up,” Berry said, according to The Washington Post.

“I feel like they did that on purpose, and I was p*ssed, to be honest. I was thinking about what should I do. Eventually, I just stayed there and just swayed. I put my shirt over my head. It was real disrespectful. I know they did that on purpose, but it’ll be all right. I see what’s up,” she said.

Berry said she knew what was coming before her podium performance.

“It was funny because they said they were going to play it before we walked out,” Berry told the Post. “It just happened they played it when we were out there. So, you know, it’s OK. I really don’t want to talk about the anthem because that’s not important. The anthem don’t speak for me. It never has.”

USA Track and Field spokeswoman Susan Hazzard said the timing was a coincidence.

“The 🎵National anthem