“The system itself must change”: how athletes react to Trump’s actions in connection with protests in the USA

“The system itself must change”

Mass protests continue in the United States over the killing of African-American George Floyd. In many large cities, peaceful rallies escalated into riots. The incident and subsequent events did not go unnoticed by eminent athletes, coaches and functionaries. Talking about the reasons for what happened, they criticized President Donald Trump.

Some of them accused the current government of inability to protect their citizens from police arbitrariness. So, the US team goalkeeper Zak Steffen emphasized that he is pleased to defend the honor of his country in the sports arena and to do everything possible for this. At the same time, in his opinion, the state should undergo changes that were ripened several years ago.

“In order to fly the US flag, I need confidence that this is a symbol of what is worth protecting. I need confidence that my country is not indifferent to the lives of blacks. What our leaders see us. What do they hear us. I am proud to defend my country. And I only ask that my country protect me too, ”Steffen wrote on Twitter.

We owe it to our ancestors before us and those who will come after us to continue the fight. @ VOYCEnowpic.twitter.com / fVx7bgoPF7

Gregor Popovich, the long-standing mentor of the San Antonio Spurs, is confident in the need for change, doubting the leadership qualities of the head of state. He rebuked Trump for not doing anything to support the protesters and fight racism. According to the expert, the president is only interested in his own benefit.

“It is very clear what needs to be done. It is necessary for the president to come out and say that the lives of black people matter - so that he simply pronounces these words. But he will not do this, and he will not be able to. Because it is more important for him to reassure a small group of supporters justifying his insanity. But it's not just Trump. The system itself must change. I will do everything in my power, because that's what the leaders do. He can’t afford anything that would lead us on a constructive path, because he is not a leader, ”quoted Popovich of The Nation.

A similar position is held by the Australian basketball player “Philadelphia Seventi Sixers” Ben Simmons. According to him, everyone should strive for universal values, but Trump does nothing for this.

“Leaders are not like that. His actions and cold words are saturated with cowardice. Do not let these hateful and schismatic statements divert your attention from the real goal - achieving unity and equality through love and compassion, ”said Simmons.

In addition to the authorities' inaction on the issue of racism, some were outraged by too harsh measures against the protesters. On the eve, Trump announced his intention to send troops to the cities to suppress the riots. Forward “Portland Trail Blazers” Carmelo Anthony called what is happening war of the president with their own citizens. At the same time, he added that those responsible for the murder of Floyd have not yet been punished.

“The National Guard is fighting ordinary citizens. The policemen who killed a black man in front of the eyes of the whole world are refused even to indict! They will prefer to lose everything, if only to deny the black man justice! ”, Anthony wrote on Instagram.

In turn, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr ridiculed a photograph taken two days ago in the vicinity of the White House. On it, the president poses against the background of the Church of St. John, holding the Bible in his right hand. Many criticized the president for hypocrisy.

“How much I felt better after I saw him with the Bible in my hands. Now I know that he is a highly moral person, driven by family values ​​and a strict system of ethical standards. It changes everything. I'm not sure if anyone needs to prove that Trump with the Bible is nothing more than posing in front of the camera and a PR move, ”Kerr said.

I feel so much better seeing him hold the Bible. Now I know he is a moral man driven by family values ​​and a strict set of personal ethics. This changes everything. pic.twitter.com/6EpXfDnafI

“Need some kind of discredit”

However, not everyone agrees that America needs a change of power. Russian figure skater Alexei Krasnozhon, who plays for the United States, emphasized that under Trump, the country has undergone changes for the better. In particular, he praised the changes in the economy.

“If I could vote, I would vote for him. But as soon as he says something, they all laugh. Trump is a good person, measures against the coronavirus were right. There will always be people who say - all shit. And if everything had been closed around, they would have shouted about communism, ”said Krasnozhon in an interview with Sport Express.

The advantages of finding Trump in power were also noted by ex-midfielder of the Russian national football team Dmitry Torbinsky, who now lives in America. He admitted that he was close to the approach of the head of state.

“Trump is a person from a business that allows people to realize themselves and grow. It allows you to compete, although everything is strictly in business. His way is closer to me. Let him be the president of the United States better than someone else, ”Sport24 quotes Torbinsky.

It has been repeatedly suggested that opposition rallies stand behind US rallies. At the same time, the former UFC fighter Dmitry Smolyakov noted that many still support the current president.

“They like Trump very much. On many houses, not only US flags hang, but also its flags. It’s difficult to defeat him in the standard way, ”Smolyakov commented.

The athlete Daria Klishina agrees with him. She said that in the last election, many were confident that Trump was elected for one term, although now, according to her, he has more chances to win than his opponent in the new presidential race.

“Now there is such a situation that only two applicants are left. And they say that Trump will win 85%, because his opponent is not as strong as we would like for those who wish him to leave. Many times people said to my face: “We can’t tolerate Trump. We really don't like him. ” They talk about it openly, joke on TV, ”Klishina explained on Instagram.