Lebanon's Jamie Gray has joined the ever-growing list of people and companies boycotting the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show. The Olympic gold medalist in air rifle made the announcement on her Facebook page on Wednesday.
Jamie Gray said turning down the Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show was a difficult decision.
She said: “I want to thank all of you for your concern regarding my participation at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show. It was with great honor that I originally accepted the invitation to participate in the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show. My purpose in attending this show in year’s past has always been to help provide a deeper knowledge and understanding for the Olympic Shooting Sports and as a way to give back to my local community given its proximity to where I grew up. As an Olympic gold medalist, passing on those values and knowledge has become even more important for me today. As an avid outdoors woman who grew in this sport in part due to my experience at ESOS, it’s a decision that doesn’t come easy but I have decided that I will NOT participate. My decision is due to what I feel would be an inability as an Olympic athlete to represent my sport, industry and USA Shooting teammates in the best possible manner given the political climate that will be present as a result of the decisions that have been made. The message that I hope to instill in the participants of the ESOS can only be muddled as a result of the current situation. I look forward to my involvement in the Show in the years to come.”
Her decision was met with hundreds of “likes” and more than 100 comments of praise.
“Sometimes the toughest things to do are the right things to do,” an Easton man said.
“Thank you for taking a stand, you truly are what a gold medal winner is made of,” a Carlisle woman said.
Gray, who is married to Staff Sergeant Henry Gray, won the 3x20 rifle in London last summer. She lists among her interests shooting, hunting, camping and being outdoors.