Boston Marathon organizers apologize after American flag seen on ground during men’s wheelchair award ceremony
As the national anthem played for Daniel Romanchuk, the flag could be seen on the ground behind him.
The Boston Athletic Association has apologized after an American flag was spotted crumpled on the ground during the men’s wheelchair award ceremony.A video of the ceremony shows the flag balled up on the ground behind two people standing to the left of American winner Daniel Romanchuk as the national anthem plays.
📹♿️🇺🇸MEN’S WHEELCHAIR WINNER📹♿️🇺🇸@Illinois_Alma alum Daniel Romanchuk receives his #BostonMarathon winner’s wreath and trophy while The National Anthem is played in #Boston #WBZ #BostonStrong #BostonMarathon @bostonmarathon pic.twitter.com/8mkKTA9S4E
— Scott Sullivan (@sullybunZ) April 15, 2019
“The Boston Athletic Association apologizes sincerely for the nature in which our Men’s Wheelchair Award Ceremony was held,” Jack Fleming, the BAA’s chief operating officer, said in a statement. “Our flag is a symbol of freedom, unity, and community spirit — all of which are virtues that the Boston Athletic Association supports.”
Chris Lotsbom, the BAA’s communications manager, declined to comment further on the incident when reached by phone.
Read Fleming’s full statement:
The Boston Athletic Association apologizes sincerely for the nature in which our Men’s Wheelchair Award Ceremony was held. We are reviewing our Awards protocol to ensure that this does not happen again. The Boston Marathon has been an American tradition for more than a century and we take pride in the passion and determination that participants, spectators, and volunteers from around the world display at our annual event. Our flag is a symbol of freedom, unity, and community spirit — all of which are virtues that the Boston Athletic Association supports.
