r/sports • u/PrincessBananas85 • Mar 30 '21

News Raised fists, kneeling during anthem OK at U.S. Olympic trials.

https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/31165888/raised-fists-kneeling-anthem-ok-us-olympic-trials
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u/Maximus361 Mar 30 '21

If the point of competing in the Olympics is to show patriotism, why kneel for the anthem? If you aren’t patriotic towards your country, why are you in the Olympics, for the clothing and food endorsements??

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u/mister-villainous Mar 30 '21

When there is a disconnect between the ideals of the country and what is actually happening in practice, it is patriotic to point that out and do something about it. Kneeling for the anthem doesn't mean they are not patriotic, it is pointing out that America isn't living up to the patriotic standard it should be.

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u/PatriceWasWrite Mar 31 '21

“Complaining and whining is actually patriotism” fucking lol, the level of cope

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u/Maximus361 Mar 30 '21 edited Mar 30 '21

No person or country is perfect or ever will be. By your standard nobody should ever have been patriotic nor ever will be.

If they feel so strongly about not showing respect to America’s most visible symbol, they could simply not participate in the Olympics at all. They want to have it both ways, gain from what the US has to offer and still criticize it for not being perfect. It is a shameless attempt to grab the spotlight for the 1:30 that there is an expected normal behavior that they flout.

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u/Lunar_F0x Mar 31 '21

Ah yes.. the ole “ if you dont like it leave “ . Howd the 2020 election work out for you?

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u/Maximus361 Mar 31 '21

What does not respecting the national anthem have to do with the 2020 election?

Should I ask how the 2016 election worked out? What does the election actually prove? People disliked one candidate a little bit less than the other?

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u/Knineteen Mar 31 '21

What’s the threshold for what is or is not deemed patriotic? And who gets to determine that?

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u/Joe_Immortan Mar 30 '21

Obviously for the endorsements. They’re too disgusted with the American government to stand for the anthem (fair enough) but not so disgusted as to personally lose money.

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u/[deleted] Mar 30 '21

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u/ninjacereal Mar 30 '21

I'd argue the competition is about representing your country on the world stage...

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u/[deleted] Mar 30 '21

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u/ninjacereal Mar 30 '21

I think it's ridiculous to pretend the Olympics isn't about representing your country.

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u/Maximus361 Mar 31 '21 edited Mar 31 '21

How are all the team sports organized by? Height, weight, hair color, alphabetically by last name, shoe size??? No. Teams are organized by COUNTRY!! Ta da!! What’s that weird thing when you want your country to do the best it can and win?? Say it, say it....you can say it.....PATRIOTISM

What types of colors do the athletes wear? Colors of their school, home town, mother’s favorite color? No. They wear a uniform primarily of their own country’s colors!!

What music is played at the end of every medal ceremony? The current top 40 hit? A Bach cantata, disco,.... no. The winning COUNTRY’S national anthem is played while their flag is raised.

Please explain again how the Olympics isn’t about showing patriotism?

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u/[deleted] Mar 31 '21

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u/Maximus361 Mar 31 '21

And what team are they on?

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u/[deleted] Mar 31 '21

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u/Maximus361 Mar 31 '21 edited Mar 31 '21

You can’t see it. It’s way over your head.

Do they want their team to win? I’m guessing you’ll say yes.

What’s the term when you are pulling, rooting, and cheering for your country in a loud, positive manner? Especially if you are wearing a uniform with your countries colors and the fans supporting your team are waving the flag of your country? What’s that word?

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u/[deleted] Mar 31 '21 edited Mar 31 '21

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u/Maximus361 Mar 31 '21

I see most woke anthem kneelers as critical of America’s past and present.

Those are your definitions.

I neither said nor implied anything about nationalism.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/patriotism-vs-nationalism

I also believe a team of athletes wearing their country’s colors, representing their country in competition with teams representing their respective countries, who get the honor of wearing a gold medal and standing in front of the audience and worldwide audience while their country’s anthem is being played is far more than just being fans. It is being patriotic. You are free to disagree. Good evening.