New York Times Editorial Board member Mara Gay and “The View” host Sunny Hostin have called the American flag “disturbing” — but American Olympians did not get that memo.
The New York Times even published an editorial discussing why the flag, despite representing the U.S. for 245 years, had become offensive to some because it had been co-opted by supporters of former President Donald Trump. (RELATED: Mara Gay Says It’s ‘Disturbing’ To See American Flags In America, Blames White Trump Supporters)
But no one appears to have informed the members of Team USA, competing in the Tokyo Olympic Games after a one-year delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.
They marched onto the world stage carrying it.
USA’s delegation parade during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, on July 23, 2021. MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images
Surfer Carissa Moore was proud to carry the flag as she became the first woman to win gold in the newly-added sport of surfing.
.@rissmoore10 can call herself the first woman to win Olympic gold in surfing. 🥇🌊 @usasurfteam x #TokyoOlympics
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 27, 2021
.@TeamUSA @rissmoore10 says winning surfing’s first #Olympic Gold Medal and “bringing it home to Hawaii – the birthplace of surfing means everything.” https://t.co/7A2PVIGRUd 📸 @isasurfing pic.twitter.com/pqa0Cbylo2
— USA Surfing (@usasurfteam) July 27, 2021
Vincent Hancock and Amber English shared a flag after their golden sweep in the skeet shooting competition.
A few of our favorite 📸 from last night. #TeamUSA x #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/XoSjCgs9rd
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 26, 2021
Surfer Kolohe Andino posed with a flag before heading into the surfing quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals bound. 🤙@koloheandino x #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/Rqc7jbVbQK
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 26, 2021
Beach volleyball duo Kelly Claes and Sarah Sponcil – who went on to win gold — posed with a flag ahead of their match as well.
🚨Olympic Debut Alert!🚨@kellyclaes3 & @SSponcil are making their Olympic debuts RIGHT NOW! Watch live on USA Network or on delay on NBC
Match Center: https://t.co/NYHv1cjjbP
Watch Live: https://t.co/TsT4Qzw6BG pic.twitter.com/U5mGLQbNFa— USA Volleyball (@usavolleyball) July 25, 2021
Anastasija Zolotic, 18, took a victory lap after becoming the first American woman to win gold in Taekwondo.
Anastasija Zolotic of Team United States celebrates after defeating Tatiana Minina of Team ROC during the Women’s -57kg Taekwondo Gold Medal contest. Maja Hitij/Getty Images
Lee Kiefer, a 27-year-old medical student, celebrated with her flag after becoming the first American — male or female — to win gold in foils fencing.
USA’s Lee Kiefer celebrates with her coach Amgad Khazbak’s after winning in the women’s foil individual gold medal bout during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images
And with more than ten days left of competition, there will certainly be more to come.
