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Raven Saunders’ ‘X’ gesture at the Olympic shot put medal ceremony at the Tokyo Olympics “was respectful of its competition and did not violate our show rules,” the Olympic Committee said on Monday and American Paralympic (USOPC).
The USOPC said it was “in discussions” with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Athletics, which governs the sport, over the move. IOC spokesman Mark Adams told reporters on Monday that the organization was in contact with the USOPC over the move.
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“As with all delegations, Team USA is governed by the Olympic Charter and the rules established by the IOC for Tokyo 2020,” the USOPC said in a statement, via Reuters.
In the words of the USOPC delegation, the USOPC conducted its own review and determined that Raven Saunders’ peaceful expression in favor of racial and social justice that occurred at the end of the ceremony was respectful of its competitors and did not violate our event rules. “
The IOC has relaxed some of its rules regarding demonstrations and political gestures at the Olympics, but has still banned demonstrations at medal ceremonies. The USOPC said it would not sanction athletes who demonstrated on the podium.
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Saunders challenged the IOC to “try to take this medal”.
“Let them try to win this medal. I’m running across the border even though I can’t swim,” she wrote.
During the photoshoot at her medal ceremony, Saunders stepped off the podium, raised her arms above her head and formed an “X” with her wrists.
“This is the crossroads where all oppressed people meet,” she said when asked what her protest meant.
Saunders, who is openly gay, has often questioned whether the Olympics could live up to the diversity mission.
“Be me. Don’t apologize,” she said in a high-profile conversation after her second place finish. “To show the younger ones that no matter how many boxes they try to put you in, you can be you and you can accept it. People have tried to tell me not to get tattoos and piercings. and all that. But look at me now, and I’m having a blast. “
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Saunders took the silver with a score of 19.79. She finished just behind China’s Gong Lijao (20.58) and just ahead of New Zealander Valerie Adams (19.62).
Emma Colton of Fox News and Associated Press contributed to this report.
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