Overt displays of patriotism will likely be rare when the world descends on Sochi next month for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
With the heightened security concerns surrounding this year’s Olympiad, members of the United States’ Olympic contingent are being cautioned to keep a low profile.
“We’ve heard some stuff about if you’re going to be outside the Olympic village, keep it mellow,” snowboarder Danny Davis told USA Today. “Don’t be ‘U-S-A! U-S-A!’ or whatever, and wear some non-descriptive clothing and things like that. That’s a little bit of a bummer. It’s nice to be a real American when you’re there, but that’s all good. I’m just going to try to enjoy it.”
Eschewing U.S. gear outside of the Olympic Village was a particular point of emphasis for the U.S. Olympic Committee, which warned its athletes of the possible risks in a memo obtained by USA Today.
“The U.S. Department of State has advised that wearing conspicuous Team USA clothing in non-accredited areas may put your personal safety at greater risk,” the memo read.
Concerns over safety also have led several Olympians, including Boston Bruins forwards David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron, to tell family members not to make the trip to Sochi.
Photo via Twitter/@YahooSports
