Lin Dunn Calls for Brittney Griner’s Removal from U.S. Olympic Team Over National Anthem Stance

A new controversy has erupted in the world of women’s basketball, as Lin Dunn, a respected WNBA executive and longtime coach, has publicly called for Brittney Griner to be removed from the U.S. Olympic team due to her past stance on the national anthem.

Dunn, who has had a storied career in basketball, made headlines when she strongly suggested that Griner should not be allowed to represent the United States in the upcoming Olympic Games.

Her reasoning? Griner’s history of refusing to stand for the anthem and her outspoken criticism of patriotic symbols.

“You disrespect the American anthem, you don’t deserve to represent this country,” Dunn stated in a fiery public comment.

Brittney Griner has been one of the most outspoken WNBA players when it comes to social justice and political activism. In 2020, during the height of racial justice protests in the U.S., she was one of the first major athletes to refuse to stand for the national anthem, arguing that it did not represent all Americans equally.

At the time, Griner stated:

“I honestly feel we should not play the national anthem during our season. I don’t mean any disrespect to our country, but given what’s going on, it doesn’t feel right for me.”

Her stance divided the sports world—some praised her for using her platform to fight for justice, while others saw it as a direct insult to the country she represents.

Dunn believes that Griner’s past actions disqualify her from wearing a Team USA jersey in the 2024 Paris Olympics. For Dunn, the Olympic team should be a representation of American values, and she sees Griner’s history with the anthem as a direct contradiction to those ideals.

This call for removal has ignited a fierce debate, with some agreeing that national pride should be a requirement for Olympians, while others believe Griner’s activism should not disqualify her from competing.

The controversy is even more intense considering Griner’s return to international competition after her detainment in Russia.

After being arrested and imprisoned in Russia on drug charges in 2022, she became a symbol of political negotiation when the U.S. government secured her release through a controversial prisoner swap.

Upon returning to the U.S., Griner expressed gratitude to her country, which some saw as a shift in her perspective regarding national pride.

Her selection for the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team was seen by many as a redemption story, but for critics like Dunn, her past statements cannot be ignored.

Dunn’s comments have exploded across social media, with fans, athletes, and political figures taking sides.

• Supporters of Dunn argue that if an athlete cannot respect the anthem, they should not have the privilege of competing under the U.S. flag. They believe national pride and respect for symbols of the country should be non-negotiable for Olympians.
• Supporters of Griner argue that freedom of speech is one of America’s core values, and that athletes should not be punished for past political statements. They point out that Griner is still an American citizen and deserves to compete if she meets the athletic criteria.

The U.S. Olympic Committee has yet to respond officially to the controversy, and Griner herself has not made a public statement regarding Dunn’s remarks. However, with the Olympic Games approaching, the debate is likely to intensify.

With Lin Dunn’s comments fueling an already polarizing discussion, the pressure is now on USA Basketball to either stand behind Griner’s selection or address the controversy head-on.

One thing is certain: Brittney Griner’s place on the U.S. Olympic team is now a major national debate, and the outcome could set a precedent for how political activism is handled in the world of sports and patriotism.