The world’s greatest athlete responded to criticism on Friday after he was spotted wearing a Team Canada hat at the Olympics. Ashton Eaton, an American, was wearing Canadian colours in support of his wife Brianne Theisen-Eaton as she contested day one of the heptathlon.

Eaton, the world record holder in the decathlon and Olympic champion in the ten-event discipline, was in the stands as his wife attempts to reach the Olympic podium. After he was spotted in red, it appears that some people did not appreciate him wearing colours of another nation.

Ashton Eaton is a traitor — Reed Strong (@reedstrong7) August 13, 2016

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Eaton, who is set to compete in the decathlon later this Olympics to defend his title, did not take the criticism lightly. He responded by tweeting out two messages to followers.

RELATED: See the photos of Eaton supporting his wife on Friday.

“Have I not represented [the United States] well?” Eaton wrote on Twitter. “Yet you demand more. Your respect is hard earned. I support the country that produced my wife; who are you to shame me?”

Have I not represented USA well? Yet u demand more. Ur respect is hard earned. I support the country that produced my wife;who ru2 shame me? — Ashton Eaton (@AshtonJEaton) August 13, 2016

Are your grandparents from another country? Will your grandchildren be? What then? Hopefully you'll adopt a more reasonable view. — Ashton Eaton (@AshtonJEaton) August 13, 2016

The two married in 2013 after attending the University of Oregon. Theisen-Eaton hails from Humboldt, Sask. Supporters of the track couple were quick to chime in on Twitter including the governing body for athletics in the United States.

I've never seen Ashton Eaton mad until tonight. Oh Lord. What have u guys done. That's his WIFE. He made a vow to support her- for Life — Lolo Jones (@lolojones) August 13, 2016

.@AshtonJEaton we appreciate the support for your wife, & we're cool with Bri supporting ?? when you compete ? pic.twitter.com/9OkJ2mgB0K — Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) August 13, 2016

The United States Track and Field Association tweeted out that they are in full support of Eaton supporting his wife at the Olympics by wearing Canadian colours. Theisen-Eaton was in sixth in the women’s heptathlon after day one and will compete go for an Olympic medal on Saturday.

See Ashton show his emotion when cheering on his wife Brianne.