First Olympian decides to boycott Team USA party at White House
In today’s political climate, it shouldn’t be a huge surprise when a professional athlete decides to treat a visit to the White House as some sort of radical social statement.
Whether it’s the Philadelphia Eagles or the Golden State Warriors, the mere idea of visiting the White House seems to elicit some strong emotional responses.
Some find the act of boycotting the White House extremely disrespectful of the highest office in the nation.
Others find the act of attending the White House extremely disrespectful of the highest office in the nation.
It’s an asinine complication of what should be nothing more than a formality.
That being said, it should come as little surprise that American Olympians are now treating a White House “party” as some sort of political statement.
Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon, who has become something of a celebrity for being the first openly gay U.S. Winter Olympian, has made his feelings perfectly clear on the Trump administration in the past.
“To stand by some of the things that Donald Trump has said and for Mike Pence to say he’s a devout Christian man is completely contradictory,” Rippon said in an interview with USA Today in January. “If he’s OK with what’s being said about people and Americans and foreigners and about different countries that are being called ‘s—holes,’ I think he should really go to church.”
Against all odds, it looks like Rippon is making his disdain for the Trump administration even clearer.
Rippon, 28, told the Daily Mail that he would boycott the traditional meet-and-greet the White House holds for American Olympians.
“No. I have no desire to go to the White House,” Rippon said when asked about attending the party.
Rippon did say, however, that he won’t be sitting around during the party.
“But I would like to do something to help my community,” Rippon added, referring to the gay community. “I have kind of spoken out a lot and I’d I like to do something positive and not just stay at home.”
Rippon implied he might stage his own party or event to promote gay rights and fight back against homophobia.
Rippon is certainly passionate with his ire, but it’s hard not to think he is misplacing it.
Neither Trump nor Pence has done anything to adversely impact gay people. Neither Trump nor Pence has singled out a single Olympic athlete based on their sexuality.
More importantly — and this can’t be stressed enough — it’s a party designed to show pride for, and celebrate the achievements of, U.S. Olympians.
Why would anyone assume joining fellow athletes is a tacit approval of any sitting president?
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