NEW YORK — American athletes have been warned not to wave the U.S. flag during their medal celebrations at this summer’s Olympic Games in Athens, for fear of provoking crowd hostility and harming the country’s already-battered public image.
http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040516-121028-9603r.htm
Hahahahaha :rotfl:
that's rather entertaining.
I think they are over-reacting, but regardless this is hilarious.
thats idiotic..
Wow.
More 
That is pretty silly. Anyone think that the crowd won't know what country the winner is from when they raise the flag of the winner's country and play the national anthem at the awards ceremony?
Maybe our athletes ought to just be instructed to come in second in all the events so as not to provoke crowd hostility. Since we are a prohibitve underdog in the Beheading Event, no problem there. But we are a 1 to 10 betting favorite in the Abusing Prisoners For Sport Event.
It’s not true anyways.
…
The U.S. Olympic Committee has a message for its athletes: Go ahead and wave the flag.
Reports out of the USOC’s media summit last weekend in New York said U.S. athletes would be told not to wave the flag at this summer’s Athens Games because of anti-American sentiment in the region.
The USOC has instructed U.S. athletes on security details and proper behavior, but chief executive Jim Scherr said they have never been told not to wave the flag.
“The United States Olympic Committee wants to make it absolutely clear that we have not – and will not – instruct our athletes to refrain from waving the United States flag during the upcoming Athens Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Scherr said in a statement Tuesday. “Any suggestions or statements to the contrary do not reflect the official position of our organization.”
Because of security issues in Athens, the war in Iraq and the recent prison abuses there, much of the USOC’s preparations for the games have centered on keeping athletes safe. But the USOC also wants U.S. athletes to keep from making things worse with the kind of arrogant behavior that has surfaced in recent years.
That includes sprinter Jon Drummond’s tantrum at last year’s world track championships, and the strutting, flag-waving display put on the victorious men’s 400-meter relay team at the 2000 Sydney Games.
“We want our athletes to be champions who conduct themselves with class and, if it is the case, to lose with grace and dignity,” Scherr said. “Additionally, we are reminding them to treat the United States flag with the respect it deserves.”
Scherr said moments with the flag can inspire the nation, such as when goalie Jim Craig wrapped himself in the flag after the U.S. hockey team won gold at the 1980 Lake Placid Games.
“One of the proudest moments of my life was to put on my USA warm-up and represent my country at the 1988 Olympic Games,” said Scherr, a former wrestler. “I know our athletes feel the same way today and we will not in any way infringe upon that honor.”
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/05/18/sports2152EDT0388.DTL
Chota posts a thread.
Turns out the information he put forward is not true.
myvoice ........ hmmmmmmmmmm
Having this going on as a debate in the US media!
well I for one hope they don't flaunt their many victories in the faces of all great athletes from islamic countries like.... ahhh... you know that guy who... no, no that's not him he was from India, a hindu I think... gimme a minute, one will come to me
It's true though, many Americans have a rude awakening in store for them when they see their Athlete's getting booed. We're like the Yankees any time they aren't at home. The team you love to hate.
Mexico chanting osama osama that is surprising i thought mexico was amerikas best buddy maybe all the exploitation is too much for some!
As for the flag waving amerikans in athens it will be intresting to see the reaction of crowd, i doubt it will so dramactic as newspaper article claims, because its a sporting event.
But then again the Greeks dont exactly love Amerikkkas foriegn policy either!
We’ll if they boo they will be booing a lot as the U.S. likes to show off it’s skills at the Olympic Games.
Gold Medal 
Personaly I go for the little countries.
Stu bro, u need not worry. I think God has told Pat Robertson that US will win in the olympics in a blow out too.
Hide your flag poles, I know where you can stick 'em
myvoice: … hmmmmmmmmm … 
Chota: … 
I bet you’ve hidden your star spangled banner in shame already like a good citizen
Who gets the most medals each time?
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Spock: *
Who gets the most medals each time?
[/QUOTE]
Khalifaistan?
What a bunch of crud.
And yes..I am talking emotionally...
Bugs me to the .......!
What athlete depends on politiics?
Who teaches athletes to run faster than politicians?
I don't know.