*Gabby Douglas barely had time to enjoy her third gold medal at the Rio Olympics on Tuesday before being hit with a social media backlash.
The Olympic gymnast has responded to critics who accused her of being disrespectful to America for being the only member of the team’s “Final Five” who didn’t place a hand over her heart as the national anthem played during Tuesday’s medal ceremony.
A lot of the Twitter backlash looked like this:
I get you’re pissed at something Gabby Douglas, but show some pride & respect put your hand over your heart. #USA https://t.co/8YQAXP503M
— Max Johnson (@trueblueaggie12) August 9, 2016
But one man’s opinion of disrespect was another man’s opinion of solidarity to the #BlackLivesMatter movement, as Tuesday was the anniversary of Michael Brown’s killing by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo.
On the Anniversary of Mike Brown’s killing .. She did right. pic.twitter.com/J0ZLwLW3ko
— Yac House P (@PhillyTheBoss) August 10, 2016
Douglas responded to the controversy with an apology Wednesday morning.
“First I want to say thank you everyone for all your support!! It’s a huge honor for me to be able to represent #TeamUSA,” she wrote. “In response to a few tweets I saw tonight, I always try to stand at attention out of respect for our country whenever the national anthem is played. I never meant any disrespect and apologize if I offended anyone.
#GoUSA❗️ #TeamUSA❗️ #FinalFive❗️ ?????????? pic.twitter.com/vzhFZxYOWb
— Gabrielle Douglas (@gabrielledoug) August 10, 2016
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