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'Disgraceful' Gwen Berry slammed as video of Usain Bolt respecting National Anthem goes viral

An old clip of Usain Bolt stopping an interview to pay his respects to the US National Anthem has gone viral, prompting many to slam Gwen Berry

US hammer thrower Gwen Berry has been at the receiving end of a lot of flak lately, especially after she was criticized for turning away from the US flag while on the podium at the Olympic trials. While she later clarified that she "never said that I hated the country", social media is suggesting she take a lesson from Usain Bolt on how to respect the flag. So upset were people that some of them, namely Republican Senator Ted Cruz and Rep Dan Crenshaw, called for the 32-year-old to be removed from the Olympic team. 

On Saturday, June 26, Berry came third at the trials in Eugene, Oregon, to qualify for her second Olympics. She then turned away from the flag while The Star-Spangled Banner played during the medal ceremony. To make matters worse, she draped a T-shirt carrying the words "activist athlete" over her head, something that upset a lot of users on social media who called her out. Now, an old clip of Jamaican retired sprinter Bolt stopping an interview midway to pay his respects to the US National Anthem has gone viral, prompting many to tell Berry to learn a lesson or two from Bolt. 

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The video that has recently gone viral on social media is from the 2012 London Olympics when Bolt paused an interview when the National Anthem started playing. "Usain Bolt. 2012 London Olympics. Interrupts interview to show Respect to The US National Anthem. THIS IS HOW IT'S DONE!!!" one user pointed out. 

You can watch the video here: 

"Thank you ⁦@usainbolt  for pausing your interview to show respect for the American national anthem! Much love to your country, from ours," one wrote. "Total class. The disgraceful Gwen Berry could use some lessons from @usainbolt," another user wrote on social media. 

Social media users were quick to point out the differences between Bolt and Berry. "How an American respects the United States of America. God Bless Usain Bolt in his respect for the USA and our National Anthem. It shows honor to care more about putting his hand on his chest than talk to a reporter during the anthem. Need more athletes like him, NOT Gwen Berry." Another wrote, "Gwen Berry take note, Usain Bolt from Jamaica knows what to do when our anthem plays & he isn’t even from our country. You “woke anti-American” athletes & celebrities need to be CANCELED we’re OVER your narrative."

"@MzBerryThrows Remember when Usain Bolt, a Jamaican athlete, stopped mid-interview to pay respect to our National Anthem? Flag of United States Privileged American crybabies need to learn a thing or two about this," one wrote directly to her.

And whether one was a fan of Bolt or not, it was a day that celebrated him and his "class". "Usain Bolt has always been and will continue to be a class act. He is a shining example of what being humble and respectful is. I truly wish all countries had Ambassadors such as him. Thank you, Mr. Bolt. God bless you," one user wrote. Another, commenting on the sportstar's character, wrote, "This says a lot about him and his character. He didn't have to do that. He chose the golden rule in respect, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you". That is the key. Much respect to you Mr. Bolt." Another user wrote, "When a non-american respects our anthem and flag more than Americans, we’ve got to re analyze what our children here are learning. This is the way."

Berry had previously reportedly said she was "set up" on the podium having been told that the anthem would be played before the ceremony, as per the latest report in CNN. On social media, she acknowledged the criticism following her actions. "I never said that I didn't want to go to the Olympic Games. That's why I competed and got third and made the team," Berry reportedly said. "I never said that I hated the country, never said that. All I said was I respect my people enough to not stand or acknowledge something that disrespects them. I love my people point blank, period."