Martina Navratilova shocked to her core after U.S. Coast Guard allegedly rules 'swastika & nooses' no longer hate symbols

Martina Navratilova hasn't been afraid to raise her concerns on political matters, and the latest decision from the U.S. Coast Guard elicited a shocking reaction from her.

The U.S. Coast Guard has reportedly ruled that symbols such as the swastika and nooses will be reclassified from being called "hate" symbols to "potentially divisive" symbols or flags. The new policy will come into effect on December 15. The Washington Post reported:

"The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, an emblem of fascism and white supremacy inextricably linked to the murder of millions of Jews and that more than 400,000 U.S. troops died fighting against in World War II, as a hate symbol, according to a new policy that takes effect next month. Instead, the Coast Guard will classify the Nazi-era insignia as 'potentially divisive' under its new guidelines."

The decision hasn't gone down well with several netizens, including Navratilova, because of the meaning of those symbols. The swastika is associated with the Nazi's, who killed millions, while the noose is associated with lynching, racial violence and terror in the United States.

After learning this development, Navratilova reacted:

"What the actual living F*CK is this??"

Martina Navratilova honoured at Science gala

Laureus Academy Member Martina Navratilova speaks at a press conference prior to the Laureus World Sports Awards Madrid 2024 at the Palacio de Cibeles on April 21, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for Laureus) Source: Getty

Martina Navratilova is known for her advocacy in cancer awareness and her role as a science ambassador. She received an honor for her active contribution on Thursday.

The tennis legend was honored at the 20th annual Double Helix Medals dinner, hosted by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL). The charity event raised over $7 million in Manhattan.

"We both realize we have such an opportunity to spread the good word," Navratilova said via CSHL website. "It makes you feel good when people say you made a difference. If you feel something, do something. Don’t sit on it. Chris is the living example of that."

Fellow tennis legend Chris Evert and biotechnology pioneer Robert Langer were also recognized for their efforts.

Navratilova herself was diagnosed with a non-invasive form of breast cancer. She underwent surgery for that in 2010. Then, in January 2023, she was again diagnosed with two unrelated early-stage cancers. She took treatments for both and was declared cancer-free in March 2023.

Edited by Krutik Jain