[ad_1]
The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has awarded two US athletes a year of probation for organizing protests as they reached the podium at the Pan American Games earlier this month, revealed letters sent on Tuesday. .
Hammer thrower Gwen Berry raised her fist and Race fighter Imboden took a knee while standing on the medal podium in Lima, Peru. All athletes at the Pan Am Games and Olympic Games agree on rules banning political protests.
The committee also warned other athletes that future protests could have more serious consequences.
"It is also important for me to point out that, in the future, issuing a reprimand to other athletes in a similar case is insufficient," wrote Sarah Hirshland, USOPC's Executive Director, in letters obtained by the Associated Press.
On Friday, August 9, 2019, a photo published by Lima 2019, Press Services, Race Imboden, of the United States, gets on its knees, while teammates Mick Itkin and Gerek Meinhardt stand on the podium after winning the medal Gold foil Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru. (Jose Sotomayor / Press Services Lima 2019 via AP)
US FENCER TAKES KNEE AT PAN AMERICAN GAMES AT PROTEST
"We recognize that we need to define more clearly for US team athletes what a violation of these rules will mean in the future," wrote Hirshland. "By working with athletes and national governing bodies, we are committed to more explicitly defining the consequences for US team members who will demonstrate at upcoming games."
After his protest, Imdoen tweeted, "Racism, gun control, the mistreatment of immigrants and a president who spreads hatred are at the top of a long list" of problems to be solved.
Berry said she was protesting social injustice in the United States. It was "too important not to say something," she said.
Both athletes are eligible for the Olympics next year in Tokyo.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Associated Press contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
Source link