ESSAY: Will Olympics be the next site of political protests?

Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty ImagesThe 16 teams who’ll vie for the gold, silver and bronze at the Tokyo Olympics are set. Team USA is gathering in Las Vegas for the opening of training camp Tuesday and we are now a month and a day away from the men’s basketball medal ceremony.

The general belief is that the US will win the gold. Perennial powerhouses like Spain, Australia and France — plus Luka Doncic’s upstart Slovenia — seen as the most viable challengers.

Assuming Team USA is on the stand, their necks draped with freshly minted medals and their arms filled with flowers, a new question arises: will The Games become the latest venue for protests as the national anthem is played? A…