BAA Apologizes after Flag Seen on Ground at Marathon Ceremony
An American flag was spotted crumpled up in a corner during the men's wheelchair awards ceremony.
Daniel Romanchuk, of Urbana, Ill., holds the trophy after winning the men’s handcycle division of the 123rd Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
The Boston Athletic Association says it “apologizes sincerely” after an American flag ended up crumpled up on the ground during an awards ceremony at the 2019 Boston Marathon.
“The Boston Athletic Association apologizes sincerely for the nature in which our Men’s Wheelchair Award Ceremony was held,” Jack Fleming, COO of the organization that puts on the marathon each year, wrote in a statement. “We are reviewing our Awards protocol to ensure that this does not happen again.”
.@BAA Statement on Men’s Wheelchair Award Ceremony: pic.twitter.com/wVBOMv4SwT
— WBZ | CBS Boston News (@wbz) April 15, 2019
The incident came during a roadside ceremony to honor 20-year-old push rim wheelchair champion Daniel Romanchuk, the youngest ever to win in the category at the marathon and the first American to win since 1993.
Video captured the moment. In front of a blue-and-white background bearing the BAA insignia, Romanchuk can be seen with his hand over his heart as the National Anthem plays and a gold crown is placed on his head and a trophy is handed to him. As the camera pulls back, the flag can be seen in a crumpled pile at the corner of the screen.
📹♿️🇺🇸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 (@SliceOfSully) April 15, 2019
Some who watched the live broadcast of the event were quick to raise concerns about the way the flag had been handled. Traditionally, an American flag is not supposed to be allowed to touch the ground.
According to a description from WBZ, the official broadcaster for the event, the flag had been draped on Romanchuk’s shoulders before an unidentified race official moved it.
Hey – whoever is at the Boston marathon finish line – pick the American flag up off the ground! #respect #BostonMarathon pic.twitter.com/YykHBEkhvL
— Doug Meehan (@dougmeehan) April 15, 2019
“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 volunteer from around the world display at our annual event,” Fleming’s statement continues. “Our flag is a symbol of freedom, unity, and community spirit—all of which are virtues that the Boston Athletic Association supports.”
