Boston Marathon organizers apologize after the American flag was tossed onto the ground during the medal ceremony for the men's wheelchair race winner
- During the ceremony honoring Daniel Romanchuk, 20, who became the youngest men's wheelchair champion the American flag was left on the ground
- Romanchuk had at one time had the flag draped over his shoulders after his victory, but a race official removed it and left it visibly crumpled up in the corner
- The embarrassing breach in protocol led to the Boston Athletic Association, the organizers of the 123-year-old race, to provide a written apology for the error
The organizers of the Boston Marathon have apologized after the American flag was tossed to the side during a ceremony.
The Star-Spangled banner was discarded on the side of the stage when Daniel Romanchuk, 20, from Urbana, Illinois, was given his medal as winner of the wheelchair race.
Romanchuk had a flag draped over his shoulder which was then removed by a race official during his trophy ceremony, according to WCVB. The American flag was unceremoniously tossed in a heap into the corner.
'The Boston Athletic Association apologizes sincerely for the nature in which our Men's Wheelchair Award Ceremony was held,' Chief Operation Officer Jack Fleming wrote in the statement.
Daniel Romanchuk, of Urbana, Illinois, holds the trophy after winning the men's handcycle division of the 123rd Boston Marathon on Monday. At right a crumpled American flag lies on the ground
Daniel Romanchuk, of Urbana, Ill., wears the victor's wreath after winning the men's handcycle division on Monday, as an American flag is draped over him
'We are reviewing our Awards protocol to ensure that this does not happen again.'
The statement goes on to describe the banner as a symbol of 'freedom, unity, and community spirit,' all virtues espoused by the association.
Ironically, Romanchuk was the only American in any of the marquee events to win at the Boston Marathon this year, and the first U.S. born winner since 1993.
'Don’t let the flag touch the ground,' is the second bullet point on a quick list of flag etiquette don'ts from the website Military.com.
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Daniel Romanchuk of USA celebrates after winning the men's wheelchair division. The Boston Athletic Association apologized that the American flag was removed from Romanchuk's shoulder and tossed on the ground during the award ceremony
Earlier, organizers of the 123-year-old marathon and city officials held a moment of silence in tribute to those who were killed or wounded in the 2013 finish line bombings.
The bells of Old South Church were rung at 2.49pm - six years to the minute after the first of two bombs exploded on Boylston Street.
Three people were killed and more than 260 were injured in the attacks on April 15, 2013.
This is the first time since the attacks that the marathon has been run on April 15. The date since has been designated One Boston Day: a day dedicated to acts of service and kindness across the city.
