ONEIDA, N.Y. — From banners on Oneida County buildings to postings on social media, many have been celebrating the selection of Erin Hamlin as the flag bearer for the U.S. Olympic team at Friday’s opening ceremonies in South Korea.
Most have focused on the fact that the 31-year-old native of Oneida County has competed in three previous Olympics and in 2014 became the first American to win a medal in the luge competition.
However, U.S. Olympic speed skater Shani Davis used Twitter to say the flag-bearer selection process was carried out “dishonorably.”
“I am an American and when I won the 1000m in 2010 I became the first American to 2-peat in that event. @TeamUSA dishonorably tossed a coin to decide its 2018 flag bearer. No problem. I can wait until 2022. #BlackHistoryMonth2018 #PyeongChang2018,” he tweeted.
Davis’ tweet provoked a cascade of counter-tweets accusing him of poor sportsmanship, sour grapes, and “playing the race card.”
Hamlin and Davis were among several members of the Olympic team nominated to carry the American flag in the opening ceremonies in PyeongChang, South Korea. Team members voted. When that vote ended in a tie, the choice was left to a coin toss, according to reports.
Hamlin’s selection brought warm notice across social media, including from television outlets, elected officials, and the U.S. Olympic team.
Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. tweeted out photos of the county office building adorned with a “Go Erin” banner complete with the Olympic rings.
Hamlin, the first woman chosen to carry the flag for the U.S. team since 2006, did not respond on social media to Davis. Her Twitter page consisted of news items about the Olympic team, an action figure created to commemorate her appearance in the Olympics and a quote from clothing retailer lululemon, “If you want more kindness in the world — put it there.”
Hamlin responded to that comment with two emojis: hands raised in praise and a heart.
The women’s luge competition at this year’s Winter Games is scheduled to start Feb. 12, according to the U.S. Olympic Committee. Hamlin won a bronze medal in luge at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Contact McChesney at cmcchesney@cnybj.com
Photo credit: Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. Twitter page