Calls grow for Olympics to strip gold medal swimmer of awards after teammates ID him among MAGA insurgents
A U.S. Olympic Swim Team gold medal winner was recognized among the thousands who attacked the U.S. Capitol last week in an attempted coup, according to multiple reports. Now Americans want him stripped of his medals.
2004 and 2008 gold winner Klete Keller, 38, who also won a silver medal in 2000, stands 6′ 6″ tall, and was wearing an Olympic team jacket with the iconic USA letters on the sleeves at the deadly violent insurrection, according to The Hill, which points to this video from inside the Capitol Rotunda:
Trump supporters fought back after Capitol Police moved in to retake the Rotunda. https://t.co/4e7mNyqWZy— Julio Rosas (@Julio Rosas) 1609965275
The swimming site SwimSwam posted clear screenshots of someone it has identified as Keller.
"At least a dozen people within the sport have identified that individual to SwimSwam as the 6'6" Olympic gold medalist Klete Keller after reviewing the video and screenshots," SwimSwam reports. "Keller has deleted all of his social media accounts, but prior to their deletion, he was an outspoken supporter of President Trump."
"Several former teammates and coaches," The New York Times adds, "said they recognized Keller in the video because of his size and because he was wearing a U.S. Olympic team jacket that had 'USA' printed across the back and down the sleeves. A green face covering hung around his neck, making his face clearly visible."
Calls are growing for him to be stripped of his medals:
This is simple. @TeamUSA, @USASwimming must insist @olympics strip Klete Keller of his Olympic Swimming Medals. To… https://t.co/emsOOxx3eB— Keith Olbermann (@Keith Olbermann) 1610480751
@Olympics - Please consider stripping the medals from this guy, Klete Keller if you please? Wearing your organiza… https://t.co/isjRobdQyp— Deidre Sabatello (@Deidre Sabatello) 1610474999
https://t.co/PGu3hSRI6O Yet the IOC finds raised fists offensive.— Dave Zirin (@Dave Zirin) 1610476729
Klete Keller was WEARING HIS OLYMPIC TEAM JACKET during the Capitol riot. https://t.co/t1wcArfTRF— Shannon Watts (@Shannon Watts) 1610477401
@TeamUSA Olympic gold medal swimmer Klete Keller was part of the #TrumpInsurrectionists that lay siege to our Capit… https://t.co/9Af1XD8f8s— AEC Chicago Pro Cir (@AEC Chicago Pro Cir) 1610483352
Lol Klete Keller wore his Team USA jacket to an insurrection. https://t.co/xdZjp9Nchf— Erin H. (@Erin H.) 1610474049
His name is Klete Keller, and he should be stripped of his medals for his treason against our country. https://t.co/F9R9eeeaBg— Science and Empathy 2022 (@Science and Empathy 2022) 1610483255
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