UPDATED: U.S. athletes protest Trump on medals stand at Pan Am Games. No courage necessary

It's sickening because courageous U.S. men and women have died for this flag, and the brave people of Hong Kong are defying a brutal communist juggernaut by waving that very same flag as the world's strongest beacon of freedom. By Monica Showalter

UPDATE:  Another athletic egomaniac looking for some extra spotlight by dissing the U.S. flag     "By now, the routine of athletes calling attention to themselves by dissing the U.S. flag at some athletic event has become so de rigueur you could write the script before it happens.

"I'll be a victim for CNN now!"

"Lose the big prize. Take a knee to the flag. Make a raving or two to the press about the awfulness of the U.S. And reap lots of media attention your athletic performance wouldn't otherwise merit. Instant fame. Endorsement deals. Money. Profit big from insulting the very flag of the country that made your performance possible.
"A couple days ago we got this attention-seeker whose bronze medal in fencing at a championship event in Lima, Peru, apparently wasn't sufficient for him." . . .
. . . 
"Never heard of him before. Hope I never hear from him again.
"But that's too much to ask, what with an eager media clamoring to record his every word and hand him exposure his rivals can only envy. The two U.S. athletes who outperformed this publicity hound get zero press attention, but the third-place finisher, Race Imboden, gets all the soapbox he wants. See how they fawn:" . . . Right on cue, he was the darling of CNN

UPDATE: Virtue-signalling has consequences

Race Imboden — who took home gold in the team foil event — knelt during the national anthem at the medal ceremony Friday in Lima, Peru, in what he saw was a protest over racism and gun control.

Washington Times  "Two Americans used their medal-winning moments at the Pan American Games to draw attention to social issues back home that they feel are spiraling out of control.
"During their medals ceremonies at the sports festival in Lima, fencer Race Imboden took a knee and hammer thrower Gwen Berry raised her fist. Both athletes could represent the U.S. less than a year from now at the Tokyo Olympics, where similar protests would be seen by a much wider audience.

"I'll own the TV talk shows!"

"“Racism, gun control, mistreatment of immigrants, and a president who spreads hate are at the top of a long list” of America’s problems, Imboden said in a tweet sent after his team’s foil medals ceremony. “I chose to sacrifice my moment today at the top of the podium to call attention to issues that I believe need to be addressed.

"They're bound to see me way out here!"

"“I encourage others to please use your platforms for empowerment and change.”
"Berry raised her fist as America’s national anthem was played to honor her win in the hammer throw. She called out injustice in America “and a president who’s making it worse.”
“ 'It’s too important to not say something,” Berry told USA Today. “Something has to be said. If nothing is said, nothing will be done, and nothing will be fixed, and nothing will be changed.' ” . . .

And just why? These people are either ignorant tools of the Democrats or simple showoffs, looking for admiration from other personalities who also strive for acceptance. I see them as no different than the "Look-at-me!" soccer player who adored center stage and relished every opportunity to place herself there.

"They're looking at me!"

Lori McMath Varner for Ms Veteran America 2019