Erin Coates July 29, 2021 at 11:29am
Numerous college students are refusing to root for the United States at the Tokyo Olympics and instead are cheering for individual athletes.
“I don’t root for countries, I root for athletes,” a student told Campus Reform.
Prior to the opening ceremony last week, Campus Reform spoke with University of South Florida students about the Olympics and athletes who choose to protest during the games.
“I’m not going to be rooting for any team just because it’s some country that I live in,” another student said.
“Patriotism shouldn’t be that strong. I’m in this country because I was born in it.”
WARNING: The following video contains vulgar language that some viewers will find offensive.
One student added that if Campus Reform correspondent Ophelie Jacobson had asked during the last administration, he would maybe not root for team USA.
When asked if it was embarrassing that some athletes don’t seem proud to be Americans, some students said they were not proud to be Americans either.
Do you think these college students have been brainwashed into hating our country?
“I don’t like being an American either, even though I’m born here,” one student said.
“I think there is such corruption and a crumbling infrastructure. Like why is there no free health care? Why are so many people suffering because of housing? That is such a great example of how f***ing corrupt it is here.”
A recent Gallup poll found that U.S. adults’ pride in being Americans “remains well below” pre-2017 levels.
Jacobson told Fox News that it was “sad” to see people “lose all hope and interest in portraying American excellence on the global stage.”
“There used to be a time where the Olympics would unite all of us, regardless of whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat,” she said Thursday.
“With everything that’s happened in the past year and a half, with a global pandemic and so much political division, you would think that the Olympics would be that thing that unites all Americans. But unfortunately, according to these woke college students, the Olympics are seeming to divide us even more.”
Jacobson also asked the students about Olympian Gwen Berry’s protest at the Olympic trials and if they have a duty to represent the country well.
“No, my only duty is to go there, compete as an athlete and bring home gold, but that doesn’t have to be for the country; that could be for me and my teammates,” one student said.
“Given what’s been going on with this country and how divided our politics have been, there’s not really a reason to stand with one with the country.”
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith