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American Olympian gets backlash for wearing Canada hat in support of wife

By Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Ashton Eaton reacts after running in the Men's Decathlon 400 Meters during the 2016 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on July 2, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. 

By Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Ashton Eaton is an American Olympian representing Team USA, but on the first day of track and field events at the Rio Olympics, he was spotted wearing a Canada hat.

Turns out, the defending Olympic champion and world record-holder in the decathlon had a pretty good reason to wear a hat representing another country.

Eaton is married to Canadian-born heptathlete Brianne Theisen-Eaton.
The two met while running attending the University of Oregon, where they were both members of the school's track team.

After multiple accusations that he is a "traitor," Eaton spoke out on Twitter.

"Have I not represented USA well?" he wrote. "I support the country that produced my wife. Who (are you to) shame me?"

Many people, including American Olympic athlete Lolo Jones, reacted in support of Eaton's decision to proudly support his wife. 
Others said Eaton could have expressed his support for Theisen-Eaton in other ways. 
Theisen-Eaton went on to win Bronze in the heptathalon on Saturday night.

Cox Media Group

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