Shaun White Apologizes for Dragging Flag After Winning Gold in Men’s Halfpipe at Olympics

Gold medalist Shaun White of the United States goes down the podium during the victory ceremony for the Snowboard Men's Halfpipe Final on day five of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at Phoenix Snow Park on Feb. 14, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. David Ramos/Getty Images

Snowboarder Shaun White has apologized for dragging his country’s flag after winning the gold in the men’s halfpipe at the Olympics.

After being presented with the flag, it was seen touching the ground and was even getting dragged behind White as he was walking up the slope. At one point, White was stepping on the flag as he walked.

Gold medalist Shaun White of the United States drags the American flag as he celebrates during the Snowboard Men's Halfpipe Final on day five of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics at Phoenix Snow Park on Feb. 14, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Shortly after, people took to social media to congratulate him on taking home the gold, but also to chastise him for his carelessness with the flag.

“I totally just screamed when @shaunwhite won gold. (Sorry @ sister). Except now he has the flag on the ground and I am CRINGING. Stop this madness!” wrote Twitter user Mara.

“Shaun White just broke flag code like six times,” another Twitter user Luke Perrin wrote.

“Hey Shaun White - I appreciate your skills but PICK THE FLAG UP!!  The American flag should never touch the ground!!  C’mon, kid!!” wrote Twitter user Lonny Kaehn.

In response to the backlash on social media, he said at a news conference on Feb. 14 that he didn’t mean any disrespect and was merely caught up the moment.

“I remember being handed the flag, but I was trying to put my gloves on and hold the flag and get the board,” he said. “So honestly, if there was anything, I definitely didn’t mean any disrespect.”

He said that he has a flag flying on his home and that it is “way up there.”

“So sorry for that,” he added. “But I’m definitely proud, very proud, to be a part of Team USA and being American and to be representing for everyone back home.”

From NTD.tv

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