White House Says Pres. Joe Biden Respects U.S. Olympian Gwen Berry's Right to Peacefully Protest After She Turned Her Back on the American Flag
Gwendolyn Berry (R), third place, looks on during the playing of the national anthem with DeAnna Price (C), first place, and Brooke Andersen, second place, on the podium after the Women's Hammer Throw final on day nine of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 26, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. Patrick Smith/Getty Images

President Joe Biden respects Olympian Gwen Berry's right to peacefully protest when she turned her back on the American flag during a medal ceremony at the Olympic trials in Oregon, according to the White House.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Joe Biden had not spoken particularly about the Olympic hammer thrower. However, she noted that the president respects Berry's right to "peacefully protest," The Daily Wire reported.

Psaki said that Joe Biden is incredibly proud to be an American and has great respect for the anthem and all that it represents.

However, she noted that Biden would also say that part of that pride in our country means recognizing there are moments where we are, as a country, have not lived up to the highest ideals.

"And that means respecting the rights of people, granted to them in the Constitution, to peacefully protest," Psaki added.

Gwen Berry Turning Her Back on the American Flag

Gwen Berry turned to the crowd rather than the American flag as the national anthem was being played in Oregon.

Berry placed third to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games, which was postponed due to the pandemic.

She held her ceremonial flowers by her side while she covered her head with a T-shirt that read "Activist Athlete," the Washington Examiner reported.

Gwen Berry maintained that the Saturday ceremony, June 26, was a "setup" since she claimed organizers told her that the anthem would be played before they walked in. She said they had enough opportunities to play the national anthem before they got up there.

Gwen Berry further noted that she was thinking about what she should do. Eventually, she just stayed there and swayed and put her shirt over her head.

However, USA Track & Field spokeswoman Susan Hazzard disputed the allegations. She insisted that the anthem was played according to schedule.

Hazzard said they do not wait until the athletes were on the podium for the hammer throw awards, adding that the national anthem is played every day according to a previously posted schedule.

Gwen Berry has protested during the anthem's performance in the past. She said that the song does not speak for her, according to an Independent report.

Black athletes have protested in numerous anthem performances at competitions in recent years as a means of bringing light to systemic racism and police brutality in the U.S.

Berry said her purpose and mission are bigger than sports, and she is here to represent those who died due to systemic racism.

Criticisms on Gwen Berry

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas were among those who called for Berry's removal from the Olympic team, NPR reported.

Former U.S. Department of Education Press Secretary Angela Morabito also called for her removal. U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland said the trials had allowed respectful demonstration in light of racial and social justice this year.

In the 2019 Pan-American Games in Lima, Peru, Gwen Berry had thrown her fist in the air during the national anthem that cost her sponsorship and suspension for 12 months.

She will soon head to Tokyo with the U.S. team for her second Olympics, where protests and demonstrations are banned under Rule 50.

WATCH: Gwen Berry Responds to Criticism After Turning Back to U.S. Flag During Anthem at Olympic Trials - From CBS News