Two U.S. Gold Medalists Protest Racism And Trump At Pan Am Games
A gold medalist hammer thrower and a member of the gold medal-winning men’s U.S. Fencing Team got political during their respective medal ceremonies.
“Somebody has to talk about the things that are too uncomfortable to talk about,” said hammer thrower Gwen Berry after her event. “Somebody has to stand for all of the injustices that are going on in America and a president who’s making it worse.”
Berry raised her fist in protest on the podium as “The Star-Spangled Banner” played following her win.
Likewise, 26-year-old Race Imboden used his victory platform to raise awareness about injustice. Upon winning gold, along with two other teammates, for the U.S. in the Men’s Fencing Championship, Imboden knelt, similar to Colin Kaepernick’s trademark protest, and later wrote about it on Twitter.
“We must call for change,” tweeted Imboden as he shared images of his protest which took place Friday (August 9) at the international games in Lima, Peru. “A president who spreads hate are at the top of a long list of the nation’s woes,” he wrote in a follow-up tweet. “I chose to sacrifice my moment today at the top of the podium to call attention to issues that I believe need to be addressed. I encourage others to please use your platforms for empowerment and change.”
For Gwen Berry, she says it’s her duty to speak out when she sees injustice. “Somebody has to talk about the things that are too uncomfortable to talk about. Somebody has to stand for all of the injustices that are going on in America and a president who’s making it worse,” she told USA Today the next day.
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee said Saturday it was “disappointed” Imboden had broken a pledge regarding U.S. team athletes participating in political demonstrations. It even reportedly warned that “consequences may result.”
That said, many on social media applauded the pair of olympic athletes. See what they had to say below.
