Gwen Berry: "I never said I hated the country"

Gwen Berry causes controversy for turning her back on the 1:17 podium

(CNN) -

American hammer thrower Gwen Berry has responded to criticism for walking away from the flag while on the podium at the Olympic trials, saying "I never said I hated the country."

Berry placed third in tryouts in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday to qualify for his second Olympics, which will begin in Tokyo next month.

He then stepped away from the flag while playing "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the medal ceremony and wore a T-shirt with the words "activist athlete" on his head.

Berry later said that she was "ready" on the podium and was told that the anthem would be played before the ceremony.

USA Track and Field (USATF) has not responded to CNN requests for comment, but according to Reuters, it said the anthem was played every day at trials according to a pre-set schedule.

On social media, Berry has acknowledged a great deal of criticism after his actions.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Dan Crenshaw are also among her critics, the latter calling for the 32-year-old to be removed from the Olympic team.

“I never said that I didn't want to go to the Olympics.

That's why I competed and got third place and made the team, ”Berry told CNN affiliate Black News Channel on Monday.

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"I never said I hated the country, I never said that.

All I said was that I respect my people enough not to stand or acknowledge something that disrespects them.

I love my people point blank, period.

• Gwen Berry steps away from flag on US Olympic Trials podium, says she was 'ready'

Berry also said there was no prior mention of the anthem playing while the athletes were on the podium, so he thought it was a trap.

During the tests, the anthem has been played once every night.

"The intention was to be introduced to the crowd before or after the singing of the national anthem," Berry said.

"If we had a choice, or if I knew I was going to be on the podium, I would have chosen something else."

When asked about Berry's actions on Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said she had not spoken to President Joe Biden about the incident.

Psaki added, “He is incredibly proud to be an American and has great respect for the anthem and all that it stands for, especially our men and women who serve in uniform around the world.

Gwen Berry causes controversy for turning her back on the 1:17 podium

I would also say, of course, that part of that pride in our country means recognizing that there are times when we, as a country, have not lived up to our highest ideals.

And it means respecting the rights of the people that are granted to them.

in the Constitution to protest peacefully «.

Athletes past and present have offered support to Berry, including American triple jumper Will Claye.

"Gwen, I support you and I hope that one day the people of this country understand that everything you are doing is for the LOVE of your people, not because you hate this country," Claye, who also qualified for the United States team.

wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson wrote: “1) You cannot deny (Berry's) courage in standing up for his beliefs knowing the reaction.

2) The identities of the USA As an example of freedom that includes the freedom to stand tall, kneel or demonstrate peacefully when the anthem is played.

The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee allowed athletes to participate in "respectful demonstrations on the issue of racial and social justice" at the trials, but "protests and demonstrations" will be banned at the Tokyo Olympics.

In 2019, Berry lost some of his sponsorships after raising his fist in protest on the podium at the Pan American Games in Peru.

He received a 12-month probation from the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee for the act, which he says was intended to highlight social injustice in the United States.

Athletics United States Racism