Written by Bill Plaschke at LA Times.com
Oh, say can you see … the Olympic gold medalist slouching during the playing of the U.S. national anthem?
By the dawn’s early light Wednesday, lovable gymnast Gabby Douglas found herself in the middle of a perilous fight, and it’s one she can’t win.
During the medal ceremony for her gold-winning USA gymnastics team on Tuesday at the Rio Olympic Arena, Douglas failed to show what many considered appropriate reverence. As her four teammates stood at full attention with their hands over their hearts, Douglas was slumped with her hands held casually in front of her as if she had just finished last.
Even during moments when she showed a smile, her body language was disconnected. The difference in aura with the other American gymnasts was palpable.
Afterward she said she was simply “overwhelmed.” It wasn’t long before an angry Twitterverse kicked into gear: Some accused her of being unpatriotic. One said she had no excuse not to honor the flag of the country that gave her the opportunity to compete.
Others applauded her for what they perceived as a protest. One person commended her for what he believed was a statement on the two-year anniversary of the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo.
The debate mounted until Douglas responded Wednesday on Twitter. She did not claim any protest. She did not explain her slumping. She simply apologized.
She wrote: “In response to a few tweets I saw tonight, I always stand at attention out of respect for our country whenever the national anthem is played. I never meant any disrespect and apologize if I offended anyone. I’m so overwhelmed at what our team accomplished today and overjoyed that we were able to bring home another gold for our country!”
If Douglas was truly overcome with emotion as she claimed, that would have been visible, yet her expression was blank and distant.
It was a different sort of emotion that redeemed another athlete from a flag flap Tuesday night. Several hours after Douglas punted, swimmer Michael Phelps nearly cried, then laughed his way through the end of the anthem after his 200-meter butterfly victory.
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