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A View from Main Street: Flag etiquette lacking at Beijing Olympics
Athletes from all countries mishandle their flags
August 21, 2008 - 7:00 PM
Star Editor
There she was, alternately dangling the fabric like a rag doll, casually hanging it around her neck like a gym towel or rolling on the ground with it like an dirty, old blanket. She was Shelly-Ann Fraser, who last Sunday won the women’s 100 meter Olympic final in spectacular fashion, and the fabric? It was the the green, yellow and black flag of her country, Jamaica.
While it wasn’t a U.S. flag, Fraser’s irreverence toward her country’s symbol while joyously celebrating her victory made me queasy. Remember when Olympic athletes were handed their country’s flags on wooden flagpoles, which they patriotically paraded around the track? The image of heavyweight boxer George Foreman, who won a gold at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, comes to mind. There was this huge, powerful man waving a tiny, wooden flag — with pride. Now athletes from all countries drape their flags around their necks like Paris Hilton might wear a scarf.
Fraser’s display was especially unfortunate because the 22-year-old otherwise was so wonderfully full of genuine excitement for her accomplishment. But she was not alone in her flag-handling shortcomings. Usain Bolt, the out-of-this-world sprinter who smashed the 100- and 200-meter world records while winning his golds, also held his country’s flag with casualness.
But the flag handling issue isn’t only a Jamaican problem, it’s endemic in the Olympics. Especially in track and field, victors from all nations are handed (or thrown) their countries’ flags, which they hold irreverently while taking victory laps.
Yuck.
According to Title 36 of the United States Code Chapter 10, the U.S. Flag “should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise,” and it “flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if our country’s athletes, which otherwise are showing respect and courtesy while in Beijing, could display a little more respect to our precious Grand Old Flag? That would truly be golden.
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Reader's comments
| And, I should add, if one DID burn a bible in protest of a clergy molester, one would not be incorrect to do so, nor would I see it as disrespectful of the church. The church, if it covered it up, would be an accomplice, and burning bibles for protest would not be in error. The subject of a single priest is different, as they usually don't represent the whole church. But when people protest government with flag burning, it is never simply a protest against the offense of one, low-level government employee. That's the difference. |
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| Kath - Aug 27, 2008 11:07:30 AM | Remove Comment |
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| The bible is not a representation of Christianity, that's where your analogy doesn't measure up. The bible is merely a transcription of his words. While some hold it with great respect, there are no rules of its use, and multiple versions with multiple translations make its sacredness suspect. To make the comparison, a flag has no meaning outside of its national context. A bible, outside of the religious context, is still a book with extensive poetic, historical, and literary worth. |
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| Kath - Aug 27, 2008 11:01:11 AM | Remove Comment |
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| And I thought you said the flag was supposed to represent all of America, the good and the bad. How quickly you changed your mind. In the same breath you where you state the flag is all of America, you state that it is now the best of America. Which is it? I don't suppose you'd be glad to lose the argument, but intentional dishonesty like that invalidates your point. For your information, I can see it from your point of view, you want the flag to represent the good while it doesn't necessarily do so. Sorry, but you don't get to decide what it does and does not represent. As much as the flag is a part of American success, so should it be through the failures. And during those times, it is completely honorable to desecrate it if the country has become unworthy of our respect. What I don't see is the logic behind your refusal to even consider that point, even though you pretend to by double-speaking and contradictions. Have one point of view, don't change it because you can't defend it. |
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| Kath - Aug 27, 2008 10:54:56 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Another way to look at this issue is to use the Christian Bible as aproxy for the flag. When a priest molest a child, should we run out and grab a bible and burn it in protest? To many the family bible is respected as flags are |
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| proud american - Aug 27, 2008 10:47:18 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Kath you are still not able to see it are you? The flag as a symbol for all that our country has become is an important element of our success as a nation. Intentional disprespect of the flag is not good nor patriotic, what IS patriotic is to challenge the government and those who are not worthy of what the flag represents. The flag should always represent the best that we are as a nation and those actions and individuals who act contrary to our national ideals thus bring disrepect to our flag. Please don't confuse disrepect of our flag as a means to improve behavior, if you are displeased with the actions of the government and those who dishonorably serve in our military then those issues must be directly addressed rather than indirectly by attacking our flag. |
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| proud american - Aug 27, 2008 10:43:14 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Neither her nor you, Proud American, have a truly honest and nuanced opinion over the flag issue, despite your attempts of deceiving me to make it seem so. If you did, you would quit defending everyone whom I'm rightly criticizing and aknowledge that some disrespect towards the flag is actually good and patriotic. Too many people use the flag as an easy shield for criticism and often these people taint it with their deceit. And Dynamoe, by saying that it represents every American that serves it, surely then you can see why some Americans are unworthy of the veneration you place upon the flag? Sometimes, we need to dishonor the flag because the people and the government of this country are unworthy. |
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| Kath - Aug 26, 2008 06:08:27 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I chastised Red Hat Lady for her one-sided devotion to the flag that, to her, seems to only represent the good of this country and not the bad, something which is perfectly in line with what I've been saying here. If you had read her post properly, perhaps you would have realized that she tolerated no dissenting opinion in regards to respecting the flag, and that is something I did not care for and told her so. If you can quote me anything in her post that proves she feels the flag represents not only the good but also the bad, then you'd be a greater magician than Houdini. |
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| Kath - Aug 26, 2008 03:06:27 PM | Remove Comment |
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| To Kath I would raise my hand to any version of the American Flag, whether is it the 50 star flag or the original 13 colony flag. It is disrespectful to dishonor the flag in any way. I am a historical reenactor so many of the events I attend do not have the flag with 50 stars flying.
Regardless of the number of stars, the flag not only represents our Country, but it represents every American life that serves it. By not honoring our flag I am not honoring the American people. |
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| Dynamoe - Aug 25, 2008 10:21:10 AM | Remove Comment |
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| With all due respect to the others opinions here , perhaps we should not wag our fingers at those who feel the flag also represents Americas failures as well as her greatness. I have wondered over the past months why so much emphasis is placed on whether someone wears a flag pin, is this really relevant to the issues facing America? After all , in most cases it is simply a piece of gold toned, mass marketed, made in China junk. Yet, people in this country have used this issue to wag their fingers at others and accuse them of being unpatriotic. Maybe we should not spend so much time arguing over symbolism . What is important though is what counties do in the name of their flags. This to me is what is more important. |
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| cm - Aug 25, 2008 09:20:42 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Kath, you obviously have some personal issues to work thru and I hope this whole thing has been some what cathartic for you. You chastise me for taking the stance that the flag is a symbol of ALL that this country represents and then chastise red hat lady for the same. The flag of our country represents all that we stand for and have stood for, the reason burn it in protest is because it strikes at the heart of every proud american in a way that no other action can. It is not the burning or the stopping in and of itself that is painfull it is the disrespectful mannor. When we retire a flag, we burn it, when a soldier dies we lay it upon his body or coffin, whend odne with respect and proper purpose even the use of the flag to wipe the sweat from the brow of our track team can be acceptable. You either simply want to argue or truely can not see the flag in the light as I and many others before me have. |
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| proud american - Aug 24, 2008 06:48:52 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Oh don't be so dramatic, Red Hat Lady. Why should the flag only represent the good in a country, and not the bad? How is disrepecting the flag equivalent to spitting on soldier's graves? Why can't it also be, for example, showing distain to this country's past policies of slavery and oppression of minorities? To say that the flag is only a symbol of good misses the point that it's a representation of our entire history, and our entire history has some bad spots. That's why people burn the flag in some protests, because at the moment, there are policies that are bad and they disagree vehemently with it. And for your information, I was not born here, I was naturalized, but no matter the status, no American should blindly follow what their country does. |
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| Kath - Aug 24, 2008 08:16:38 AM | Remove Comment |
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| If only newspaper editors used their pen to criticize some of the real issues facing America . |
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| cm - Aug 23, 2008 12:07:28 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Yes, I have noticed this also and it really makes me mad. I was raised to always respect the flag and we display one all year round. I noticed that in the track and field they wave it like lunatics and use it as a sort of cape. However, I blame the coaches and other officials who have not shown them how to respect the flag. They should email every athlete before leaving for competition giving them tips for how to display the flag. And they could also give them a warning that if they can't respect the flag, thus our country and its citizens, then they will never go to another competition again representing the United States. That will stop this tomfoolery real quick. |
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| Mark - Aug 22, 2008 09:28:20 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I agree with Peter Day. Showing disrespect for the American flag is tantamount to spitting on the graves of those who gave their lives to protect our country. There is obviously a generation that has not taught their children to respect anything, including the flag. Isn't it amazing that new citizens have more respect for our flag and our country than you, who I assume was born here. |
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| Red Hat Lady - Aug 22, 2008 07:07:38 PM | Remove Comment |
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| And while you do state that we should look into the context of the celebrations, you applaud Peter for writing it when his tone is clearly that of an overreaction. I mean, the man cites Title 36 of the United States Code Chapter 10! Is such an esoteric example supposed to be taken as anything but that of an extremely anal flag waving lunatic? This is a bad article over something that isn’t offensive or “harmful” in the least. You further distinguish yourself as attacking my position when you give no reason as to how I am holding the flag in low regard. I’m simply not holding it to the same regard as you. |
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| Kath - Aug 22, 2008 04:56:56 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Proud American, your use of the word “harm” in describing me belies your true intentions. Any normal person would agree that they are being attacked if others consider themselves to be harmful without providing a reason beyond that of disagreement. Furthermore, your description of others as “political correctness”, using it as an epitaph, also reinforces that assumption. If my comprehension of your distain for political correctness and your use of the word 'harm' is incorrect, then please explain how I’m supposed to take those 2 terms as a compliment. |
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| Kath - Aug 22, 2008 04:56:35 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Kath, you use wonderfull words in your posts but you read for comprehension very poorly. While i dont expect you to admit it, you have miss read my simple words. I only stated that I noticed the handling of the flag and was proud that others had as well. I never condemned those who were celebrating, in fact I pointed out that the context in which the flag was handled. The fact that you are unable or unwilling to NOTICE how the flag is handled when you see it, is not a crime, it only means you do not hold it in high regard. As fancy as your words may be, you have missed one critical component of the Olympic Games you are watching, they are a world competition, our team is represented by the American flag. |
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| Proud American - Aug 22, 2008 04:26:51 PM | Remove Comment |
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| This article represents another, albeit less vitriolic, attack on those who do not deserve it and should not be ashamed of how they handle the flag. The gist of it, and your response, seems to be that even in the celebratory mood of a competition, athletes should be forced to treat the flag tossed at them by some random fan as a military procession. I disagree with that. There was nothing inappropriate about the handling of the flags at all, not one bit. And to accuse proponents of that view as being politically correct, as if it was some kind of illness, is cowardly, stupid, and xenophobic. I don’t like the flag as much as you do, get over it. I am not wrong, some people can simply enjoy a sports festival as what it is and not bring pointless political partisanship into play. |
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| Kath - Aug 22, 2008 03:59:42 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Where’s the harm? You identify myself as a source of it but have yet to explain why. As I see it, I’m against rabid and fanatic nationalism especially considering it is not the flag we should be paying attention to, but the athletic accomplishments themselves. This is the Olympics after all, not the national flag waving championships. If my degree of flag veneration is exceeded by yours by one iota, then that is hardly harm. You, perhaps, have too much. And I do see it as oppression, but not in the way you think I do. I feel that jokers like Doug who attack those who do not climax every time they see the flag are oppressive, and will defend that position unabashedly. |
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| Kath - Aug 22, 2008 03:58:44 PM | Remove Comment |
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| The hero's I spoke of, if you will read again are those who have DIED in defense or protection of what that symbol represents. The harm done, well you are an example. You are right when you state that all voices are equal and no one persons liberty shall be oppressed for the betterment of the state, but you apear to view reverence toward our flag as oppression while I view it as an honor. Yes I have and will continue to salute a flag with thirteen stars as well as 48 and fifty. The meaning of the red white and blue fields never changes. True the physical flag is no more than an inanimate object, but when proudly flown or otherwise presented it becomes more, it becomes a physical representation of all that our nation stands for. It is a shame that PC has taken that away from our children. I do not know these atheletes, to me they are just a picture on my TV, but when they thrust our flag into the air with pride, they become someone I can identify with and that someone is a proud american. |
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| Proud American - Aug 22, 2008 03:20:48 PM | Remove Comment |
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