Can the US Olympians not even manage to place a hand on their heart during the National Anthem?

Question

Admittedly, our anthem is difficult, but there is no rule that we must sing it on key, we are only compelled to try and sing it Francis Scott Key : )

Answer 1

Previous answers to this question are wrong, wrong, wrong!

U.S. Code: Title 36, Sec. 301. National anthem

    (a) Designation.--The composition consisting of the words and music

known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.

    (b) Conduct During Playing.--During a rendition of the national

anthem--

        (1) when the flag is displayed--

            (A) all present except those in uniform should stand at

        attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;

I saw a lot of our gold medalists with their hand on their heart as the anthem was played - but sadly not many of our gold medalists in track and field... most notably neither of our 4x400 gold medal relay teams.  Were they being disrespectful or did our track and field managers forget to educate our athletes as to the law of the land?

Answer 2

don't know what you are talking about

i have seen them all place their hands on their hearts

Answer 3

It IS a shame that several athletes have been ignorant of the tradition of holding their hands over their heart during the US national anthem after they won a medal for the USA.

And fyi to paganmom...

Just to set the facts straight - it IS required :

United States Code, 36 USC Sec. 301, states that during the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner" (United States National Anthem) when the flag is displayed, everyone except those in uniform should stand at attention while facing the flag with their right hand over their heart. Those in attendance who are not in uniform should remove any headwear with their right hand and hold it at their left shoulder, with their right hand held over their heart. Individuals in uniform should show the military salute during the first note of the anthem and stay in this position until the last note. If the flag is not displayed, people in attendance should face the music and respond as if the flag were present.[9][10]

Answer 4

Well, putting your hand over your heart for the US national anthem was never a tradition until people started coming down on Barack Obama for not doing it.  Look at footage of any sporting event before 2007.  The hand over your heart tradition is for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Answer 5

A lot of them are too excited and wrapped up in emotions to remember to salute the anthem.

Besides, I'm sure everyone did it when they were in elementary & middle school.

Answer 6

Thank you mmindc!  You are correct!  I can't believe what I saw with both the AMERICAN gold medalist teams in track and field last night and I also can't believe nO-bam-a had the traitor stones to not give this country, it's flag, all that have lost life, served time, etc. the proper respect they deserved as well.

As a former soldier myself I have been through many an emotional time and have been "lost in the moment" and still remembered that when the national anthem is played you show your RESPECT!  Even before becoming a soldier that respect was given.

As this is not an isolated incident ("they were just lost in the moment" c**p), I would be very interested in knowing if they simply were not taught that respect as children (e.g. Michelle nO-bam-a "I am finally proud of my country"...) or if it is part of some greater nO-bam-a didn't put his hand on his heart and he is my hero of a role model so I am not going to do it either?

Actually I believe there was one male holding his flowers close to his heart... I wonder why he wasn't "lost in the moment" like the rest of his team?  Riddle me that all you  nO-bama supporters and while you are at it please explain why  B. Hussein nO-bam-a didn't either!  I guess he was just "lost in the moment" ???

Answer 7

i think that they are too busy admiring their moment in winning the gold. if i was on the stand i would too busy making a mental video of what i would be seeing on the olympic stands.

Answer 8

Any ones I've watch have had their hand on their heart. I've also seen several singing along at times. But not singing along is not something that is exclusive to America either.

Besides that, putting your hand on your heart is for the pledge of allegiance anyway, not the national anthem. National anthem you either stand and face the flag with your cap removed if you are wearing one, or salute it if you are military.

Answer 9

It's not required to put your hand on your heart for the National Anthem, although a lot of people do it.  For the Pledge you put your hand on your heart, for the Anthem you stand facing the flag.

Answer 10

Dunno what sports you've been watching, but each one I've seen where the US anthem is played, the athletes have their hand on their heart.

Answer 11

Don't be so petty. A hand on the heart doesn't equal love for the nation.