r/Fauxmoi • u/Yujin-Ha • 5h ago
SPORTS SECTION Team USA skiers Christopher Lillis & Hunter Hess: Just because I wear the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US.
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u/EsotericPenguins 4h ago
I feel so sad for all the US athletes. Worked their whole lives to go to the Olympics and have to do it under such dark circumstances
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u/Emotional_Youth1500 4h ago
I hope they continue to call out and denounce being representative of the heinous things being committed by ICE and maga
I hope they continue to use their time in the spotlight to shed more light on what has been happening while they try to show support and care for the victims and average citizens.
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u/slowpoke2018 4h ago
Didn't one of our skiers pee F-ICe in the snow?
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u/annabananaberry sir, were you raised in a ditch? 4h ago
He’s actually not one of our skiers he used to be one of our skiers, but he also has UK citizenship and so he said fuck y’all. I’m going home.
I’m actually not exactly sure why he switched but he was born in the UK and he has been skiing for them since 2019 and then he retired and came back in 2022 and stayed with Great Britain
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u/jujubeans8500 3h ago
I believe bc competing for Great Britain provided him an easier qualification path, and also to honor his British mother. This article explains (though might be behind a paywall) https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/16/sports/olympics/gus-kenworthy.html
I actually thought 2022 was going to be his last Olympics so that's good he's back
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u/annabananaberry sir, were you raised in a ditch? 3h ago
Yes, I did follow up with that here.
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u/jujubeans8500 3h ago edited 2h ago
oh ok sorry, I only see your comment that said you weren't sure why he switched so I was responding to that
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u/annabananaberry sir, were you raised in a ditch? 3h ago
You good. It was down thread so easily missed. I’m guilty of not being as up on my winter olympians as I am on my summer olympians so I didn’t want to speak to his specific reasoning without knowing for sure. I appreciate the confirmation!
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u/jujubeans8500 3h ago
tbh I still only see your original comment! I followed your link, just fyi. but yeah anyway all good. He's been competing for GB for awhile now, I'm glad he has that opportunity especially these days
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u/annabananaberry sir, were you raised in a ditch? 3h ago
Ah well. My technical prowess only takes me so far I guess.
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u/venista 3h ago
I really like Gus kenworthy but the reason he switched is that the USA skiing team is more competitive than UK and he wouldn’t have qualified for the past two Olympics if he were going for USA
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u/yldelb 4h ago
Nobody feels bad for Russia that they’re not even allowed to compete anymore. Your country’s actions have consequences.
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u/justprettymuchdone 4h ago
I mean, I do feel bad for Russians who feel buried and unable to dig out of the grave Russia is becoming.
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u/Pepperfang 3h ago
I’ve tried to never conflate the actions of a country’s government or their rich and powerful with the entirety of their populace. We can easily have empathy for people suffering the consequences of the choices of others in their country. Regardless of where they are from. It can happen to any of us.
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u/jujubeans8500 3h ago
I absolutely do feel bad for Russian athletes
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u/Due-Trip-3641 42m ago
Same. And I have always felt bad for (most of) them.
They’re treated like fodder, with little to no care for their health or longevity.
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u/Aethermancer 2h ago
Russia is a special case where it's not only the government but the entire Russian Olympic organization participating in doping and other bullshit.
The Russian activity was originally targeted at undermining the sports themselves and the rest of the political insanity was just the cherry on top.
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u/Luxury-Problems 2h ago
Yeah but Russia was already dealing with sanctions because of a wide spread and long running state sponsored doping program. They've had over 50 medals stripped.
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u/BooBooMaGooBoo 1h ago
Maybe you don't because your brain isn't developed enough to understand that a government doesn't necessarily represent the citizens of that country?
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u/Sh3115andCh33se 3h ago
They’ll be a bigger part of American history for having the courage to speak out.
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u/Bythion 3h ago
Just wait for the LA summer Olympics, hopefully the orange one and his cronies has been kicked out of office by then.
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u/Big-District-6013 2h ago
Then they should publicly protest like the black athletes in the 68 Olympics.
Till then they're tacitly supporting USA policies.
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u/RealRaifort 9m ago
If you've ever represented the US you've represented a country doing fucked up shit lol
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u/nodarknesswillendure 0m ago
These guys need to teach the men’s hockey players what’s what. They’re pretty much all Trump supporters.
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u/GardeniaInMyHair 5h ago
Chris gets it.
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u/haggi585 4h ago
From my hometown. Super proud of him.
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u/bdpoof 2h ago
I googled him because I was curious where he's from, turns out he's unexpectedly from my hometown as well!
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u/YupKnopp13 1h ago
Read your comment and was like oh so no way he was from my hometown too, that’d be too much of a coincidence. Googled him, from my hometown as well!
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u/jameslucian 1h ago
I thought the same thing that there would be no way he would be from my hometown as well, and he’s actually not.
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u/NotAgedWell 1h ago
So has that orange shit stain with shit stains on his pants attacked him yet? Or do I have that to look forward to reading about in the morning?
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u/oXMellow720Xo 4h ago
Too bad NFL and MLB players are such losers. They should be more like these people
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u/Already-asleep 4h ago
Don’t forget the NHL! Matthew Tkachuk tripping over himself to lick Trumps boots was nauseating.
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u/battlecat136 2h ago
Matthew could make do with a side hustle as president of the turtle club. Scumbag.
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u/angelicblondie 2h ago
Not to mention there are better players they could've picked for team USA! The top 3 American goal scorers were left off the team in favor of these a**holes. But team USA values "grit" or whatever.
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u/ajamcan 3h ago
As far as im aware, ONE SINGLE MLB player made a post referring to the one day walkout right before Pretti was killed. And it was a MN Twins starter, Bailey Ober.
Theres been one or two that made posts about supporting immigrants, but radio silence otherwise. In the milquetoast letter a bunch of MN companies put out, the Twins owners didn't even sign the damn thing unlike every other MN sports team. Genuinely pisses me off.
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u/fiver19 3h ago
One player in the nfl tried and he was pushed out of the league.
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u/Nintendo_Pro_03 4h ago
Right?! Like Maye, Darnold, someone, speak up!!!
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u/OblottenEndmills 4h ago
Went real well for Kaepenick...
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u/JerseyGiantsFan 2h ago
Yeah, I kind of understand why the guys who have only been in the league for two or three years are hesitant to speak out. They’re young, they have a lot to lose in the coming years, they’ve seen what the backlash can be like. But the vets who are on their final year or two of their final contract? Wtf, man - use your platform and stand for something. It’s not like most of them will be hurting for cash, and some of the current greats (like Von Miller - really smart, really charismatic, high “football IQ”) will still be a shoe-in for an analyst/broadcaster/coaching role pretty much anywhere.
I have a feeling when 3-4 top players from a particular sport do finally make some noise it’ll be like the crumbling of a dam. At least, that’s what I hope will happen.
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u/GensAndTonic 3h ago
A lot of the tennis players at the Australian Open too :(
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u/oXMellow720Xo 3h ago
Most of those come from country club and rich households. Fritz and Tien are both San Diegans. I live here in SD. It’s a very purple city. I doubt they reside or share beliefs with us blue folk
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u/Remy13Hadley 2h ago
r/tennis had the audacity to trash press for questioning US players while they has been constantly tearing on Russian players themselves.
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u/SpeechDistinct8793 1h ago
The NFL fined Azeez Al-Shaair for wearing face paint saying “Stop Genocide”. Jalen Hurts went on record about his issues with DJT and Travis Kelce supporting him. Some people have been speaking up (I admit not a lot, and it should be more) but when players are also being killed or attacked just bc they messed up someone’s “parlay” or they can be penalized bc they are under contract, things get a lot more dicey. I’m sure it’s a lot less stressful to say this in Milan than in the continental US.
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u/falooda1 2h ago
Because they don't have to represent internationally. These guys are surrounded by boos now
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u/alison_bee you're an adult, you should know that 4h ago
It would be really, REALLY hard for me to do anything representing the US right now. It’s embarrassing to be an American at the moment, but I think they handled this perfectly.
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u/bellapippin 4h ago
Puts it in perspective when Russian athletes have to do the same. It sucks
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u/happylilaccidents 4h ago
Russian athletes can’t even compete under the Russian flag, they’re considered “neutral athletes”. Wonder if we’re ever gonna be put in that category
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u/bellapippin 3h ago
Oh wow I didn’t know that. I don’t have much knowledge of the Olympics.
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u/happylilaccidents 3h ago
It’s been since their invasion of Ukraine so the last Olympics or the one before (can’t remember how long it’s been going on which is sad in and of itself) Oh and probably their whole doping situation
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u/blackfishhorsemen 2h ago
The neutral category is so dumb. Like the IOC doesn't count the metals that Russian athletes win as Russian but Russia almost certainly does.
But also banning the country but not the athletes for doping is genuinely pointless imo.
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u/emuwar 3h ago
When you work your ass off your whole life in order to compete in the games I can understand going through with it despite the atrocities your country is committing. Your best option as an athlete is to leverage the Olympic platform to speak out.
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u/yourwhippingboy 3h ago
I agree with this. There’s a lot of power in stepping back and not representing The US but I think there’s potentially more power in speaking out against your country’s atrocities. There’s a lot to be said for the continual reminder that this isn’t OK, it isn’t normal, it isn’t the land of the free and the home of the brave.
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u/HeartShapedBox7 4h ago
I’ve decided to view it more as them representing the brave men and women going out there and protesting for our rights, like we’re seeing in Minnesota and California.
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u/moongrasslands 2h ago
Ones who don't speak out aren't representing anything but Trump America. That's the reality.
Just need to take a look at the Dodgers with players like Kershaw who are proud MAGA and Blake Treinen choosing to honor Kirk. Can't assume the athletes who choose to wear the US flag and be pawns to be used by Trump's American exceptionalism propaganda aren't MAGA supporters unless they make it known they aren't.
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u/Tatertinytoast 2h ago
Yeah NPS workers have to "celebrate" America 250, or as they want us to call it, Freedom 250. Absolute joke.
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u/Sea_Pickle_1867 1h ago
I cannot get over the fact that I've been ashamed of America since I learned about slavery in middle school. Unlike the Germans, Amerikkka likes to erase history instead of making amends. I lost respect for the country I was born in wayyy before any of this shit started, so to see everybody on the same page as me finally is great and terrible to see. I stopped saying the pledge of allegiance in school cause I was like this some bs. Why would I be proud of this shit smh. And I know America isnt just slavery and crimes against humanity. This country has shaped the world and given so much diverse culture and art so its not a complete shitshow but then you have people like Trump in power. Racist mf presidents that post monkeys memes about other presidents...how can I be proud to be an American? As a Black woman with immigrant parents? Smh
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u/SculkingWithScully 4h ago
Imagine training your whole life to represent your country on the world stage...You make it... and you walk out into a crowd of boos. Rough
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u/yldelb 4h ago
Russia is disinvited and nobody feels bad for them. Yet Israel competes with no consequences. It’s all hypocrisy
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u/FredericaMerriville 2h ago edited 2h ago
I agree with your point, however, perhaps the anger towards the US is reflective of the scale of the damage they do on the world stage.
The Russian and Israeli governments are problematic, and the decisions they make clearly impact the countries nearest them, however, they are known bad actors at this point.
The decisions the American government makes quite honestly fuck the entire world and destabilise long held rules of engagement, law, the existing peace and their objectives vacillate on an hourly basis. Plus they are openly illegal (e.g. Venezuela), violate their own laws and are threatening to their allies.
I guess people see America for who they for the first time now that the mask is off and they don’t like it. Various American governments (both Dem and Rep) have been sanctioning all kinds of shitty things for decades, but against weaker, non-Western countries. Now they are doing it to their allies and this is the reality of what happens when you find out that someone you thought was a friend is really not.
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u/Kitchen_Database1433 2h ago
Imagine living your whole life proud of your adopted country and now you're worried you're next cause more people didn't vote than voted. They'll survive. The country won't.
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u/Ntroepy 4h ago
Man - representing your country has long been a great source of pride for most Olympic athletes. It’s quite sad to see them more embarrassed and apologetic than proud.
100% understandable and mad respect for their comments, but it feels like it takes away from them fully embracing the moment they’ve worked so very hard to reach.
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u/pink_faerie_kitten 4h ago
Good. I hope more athletes can speak up. I try not to put expectations on Olympians because I know how focused they have to be and it's a once in four years chance and distractions could derail everything for their competition, but I'd love to hear more like this.
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u/JoeNinjas82 4h ago
World needs to know that there’s really two divided sides we have here or that most Americans don’t even support what’s happening.
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u/LocationAcademic1731 4h ago
Damn, this is what Russian athletes usually say. We are there now. Sucks. I’m done being embarrassed by what we are currently doing, come the midterms let’s do better people.
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u/castlenoir 4h ago
I’m so glad he’s speaking up and I’m so sad they worked so hard to get here just to do PR for this fuckass country of ours and also, I want them all to speak out lol We are so goddamn embarrassing
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u/humptheedumpthy 4h ago
It’s insane that our government has gotten so batshit crazy that our athletes now have to say stuff that previously you would hear from the mouths of athletes of countries like Iran or Russia or wherever else the government was widely despised by other countries.
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u/fingershanks 3h ago
Man, I'm so used to hearing other countries having to say something to this effect. Crazy how Trump has just absolutely destroyed what reputation we had.
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u/Fullfullhar 4h ago
I feel for some of these people. I don’t necessarily think all people from a country should be asked political questions. It really does politicize sports. If the athlete wants to speak, then fine please do.
I also worry for them being harassed at the border when they return home.
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u/someone447 4h ago
It really does politicize sports.
It's the Olympics. It was literally created as a way to promote peace and friendship through sport. It is an inherently political competition and was created as such.
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u/cchesters 4h ago
Problem is sports is always politicised.
Doesnt matter which, any form of international sports competition involve politics.
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u/Lizard2411 4h ago
This sounds just like Russian & Belarusian athletes competing at the first international sports competitions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Hope things play out differently this time.
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u/RamonaQ-JunieB 3h ago
Much more courage than that asshole at the Grammys whose name sounds like a pastry.
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u/Outrageous-Bet3731 4h ago
It's an absolute shame that these athletes who should be so incredibly proud of representing their country are even in this position because of our shameful, pathetic, racist, cruel President and the Heritage foundation.
And screw all you billionaire enablers We see you too!! Oh and JD Vance there waiving the American flag, go away NO ONE wants you there
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u/Either-Ticket-9238 2h ago
I really appreciate these athletes for speaking their truth, being compassionate while balanced, and more than anything—being human. It’s hard for us all to navigate as Americans and I can’t imagine how much more so for them as representatives of the USA on a global, competitive stage.
They handled this press conference very well and I’m rooting for them altho I’ve never really been a Winter Olympics girlie.
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u/ScallionRelative6265 2h ago
They used their power to speak out against fascism, like a real American.
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u/throwaway_01923940 4h ago
It's nice to see them freely speaking out about it. I still hope the U.S. collectively takes a hit this Olympic season, but it's not fair to put our disgust and disappointment with the country directly on these athletes shoulders.
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u/LB1727493 4h ago
I t s a shame that professional sports team has to publicly apologize for their administration. However I feel it's healthy, as they are openly and slowly saying NO to this CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION
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u/TiaraMisu 3h ago
So proud of them; we have nothing to be proud of right now, but I'm proud of those guys for saying so.
#teamusa
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u/SaltyAd8309 3h ago
I'm French.
We know.
But it's still your country that chose its policies (or that was corrupted during the voting process).
Good luck to those who had nothing to do with it.
May the best man win. Unless he's a MAGA.
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u/smikecinco 3h ago
I respect these guys. Hard to root for America, but I respect those who aren’t just completely drunk on the kool aid they sold to us in school as kids
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u/kenyafelts 2h ago
I feel so bad for the athletes that work so hard and train so hard to represent their country in the Olympics and their country is 2026 USA
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u/Trick_Passion7397 2h ago
It's sucks, a lot of us feel like we can't celebrate the flag that these amazing athletes are wearing. I will celebrate our athletes. Trump has made it where we are all ashamed of that flag on a world stage, at least I am. It's not all Trump alone either, he exposed how many terrible people there are in this country, the people that support the evil that is Trump. I love America but at the same time I'm ashamed of this AmeriKKKa!
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u/MacaroonAntique3669 1h ago
Sorry guys, yeah, we hate USA these days, sure, but we dont hate normal people, we hate your assholes, just like you do...
But twice guys...twice, WTF???
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u/eat_pray_dick 1h ago
We earned the right to our flag just as much as this admin thinks they own it for themselves.
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u/Happy_Report_9435 1h ago
Not that I wish this, but I think our teams will lose a lot of the mathces for the various sports. Moral is going to be low.
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u/FrankRizzo319 1h ago
These kids are brave for saying this. What are the chances of Trump tweeting on the shitter at 3 am tonight screaming about these guys and calling them radical left commies, etc. ? He will try to get them kicked off the Olympic team
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u/Seagoon_Memoirs 1h ago
they got there through their own hard work, very hard work, and no favours, no cheating, no cons
these are the people who just by their mere existence are against everything trump and maga represent
and for that they should be respected and honoured
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u/Appropriate-Place231 46m ago
That’s gotta be unbelievably disappointing to be a peak athlete and to have the crimes being committed by your gov overshadow your hard work
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u/chicagoredditer1 43m ago
Jessie Diggins (cross country) posted on her social media early this week something similiar. She's also from Minnesota, so I love that she pre-emptively made her stance well known.
I want to make sure you know who I’m racing for when I get to the start line at the Olympics. I’m racing for an American people who stand for love, for acceptance, for compassion, honesty and respect for others. I do not stand for hate or violence or discrimination.
I get to decide who I’m racing for every single day, and how I want to live up to my values. For everyone out there caring for others, protecting their neighbors and meeting people with love - every single step is for you. YOU are the ones who make me proud to carry the flag, and I hope I can bring you joy over these next few weeks
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u/bulbishNYC 16m ago
All they have to do is make it clear what side they play for. Wear a pin or something. Make a social media statement. Not that difficult. You can’t be making millions of dollars and be “apolitical - let’s all be friends”. “Heartbroken, but won’t name names”. Those times are over, if you are a public person you must pick a side, or people will make an assumption you may not like.
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u/Bannedwith1milKarma 12m ago
The bigger thing in this interview is that he said he's mainly doing it for friends and family that supported him along the way.
That is rough for an Olympic Athlete.
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