Whether it is social justice, paid leave (opens in new tab), gender equality, mental health (opens in new tab), or other pressing issues, elite athletes are now using their voices and podiums for activism more than ever. Gwen Berry, 32, a hammer thrower on the women's Olympic track and field team, made headlines when she turned her back on the American flag during the national anthem at the Olympic trials (opens in new tab). Ahead of her Tokyo debut, here's everything you need to know about Berry, an athlete, activist, and two-time Olympian.

A Missouri native, Berry began competing in track and field in high school. In college, she began throwing for the Southern Illinois Salukis, a varsity team that represented Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She placed fourth at the 2008 U.S. Junior Championships.

After college, Berry continued to throw hammer and weight throw (the indoor version of hammer throw) at the elite level; her throw of 77.78m from 2018 ranks 6th all-time. She also holds the world record in the weight throw. Berry did not make the U.S. team for the London 2012 Olympics, but competed in Rio 2016, but failed to medal.

Berry has a history of showing activism on the podium; in 2019, at the Pan American Games in Peru, where Berry won gold, she was the first to raise her hand on the podium to protest rampant racial injustice and then-President Donald Trump. The move provoked a backlash, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee placed Berry on 12 months' probation (open in new tab), and Berry lost numerous sponsorship deals (totaling $50,000, according to her estimates). The suspension was due to International Olympic Committee Rule 50, which prohibits political, racial, or religious demonstrations at Olympic venues.

But her move also garnered support: the IOC later apologized to Berry and changed the rules.

Berry finished third at the U.S. Track and Field Hammer Throw Trials. On the podium, while his fellow athletes (winner DeAnna Price and second-place finisher Brooke Andersen) faced the flag with their hands on their chests during the national anthem, Berry turned away from the flag and pulled a shirt over his head that read "activist athlete."

Berry later told the press that his protest was a spur-of-the-moment idea, as he had been told by officials that the national anthem would not be sung on the podium. A spokesperson for the U.S. Track and Field Federation claimed that it was entirely coincidental that the song was played at that time; the song is played once a night during trials, and Berry happened to be on the podium at that time. (The song was reportedly played five minutes past the scheduled time, which coincided with the time Berry got on the podium.)

Berry's claim that the song was played at the same time as the podium was played was completely coincidental.

Berry did not believe it was a coincidence, later telling the Washington Post: (Open in new tab) "I feel it was a set-up. Frankly, I was angry. Honestly, I was so angry, I didn't know what to do. I put my shirt over my head and went to ...... I know they did it on purpose and it's ok. But it's okay.

Senator Ted Cruz tweeted in response to Berry's protest, "Why do leftists hate America?" and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said: "[Biden] is very proud to be an American and has great I know he has great respect for the anthem and everything it stands for.

Berry's rival Deanna Price expressed solidarity, saying: "I think we should say whatever we want to say. I am proud of her."

For Berry, using her voice to demand change is fundamentally part of what makes her American. 'They can feel how they want, but I am extremely American. People have profited from our unpaid labor for over 400 years."

The IOC's endorsement of Rule 50 at the Tokyo Olympics means that athletes cannot protest during the Games. If they protest, they will be punished. Berry, however, will not be silenced. She told the Associated Press, "From a sporting standpoint, I don't have to do anything." (Open in new tab) "All I have to do is speak for my community, represent my community, and help my community. That's more important than sports."

It remains to be seen if Berry will make the podium, but even if he does, he could protest the IOC's ruling. She told CNN, "I will do whatever is on my mind." (open in new tab)