US Fencer And Hammer Thrower Silently Protest At Pan-American Games

Peru Pan Am Games — In this Friday, Aug. 9, 2019 photo, released by Lima 2019 News Services, Race Imboden of the United States takes a knee, as teammates Mick Itkin and Gerek Meinhardt stand on the podium after winning the gold medal in team's foil, at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. "Racism, gun control, mistreatment of immigrants, and a president who spreads hate are at the top of a long list" of America's problems, Imboden said in a tweet sent after his medals ceremony. "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.

Jason Turesky is an Associate Producer for Boston Public Radio.

August 13, 2019

United States fencer Race Imboden and hammer thrower Gwen Berry may have hurt their chances of making the Olympics by silently protesting U.S. politics on the winners' podium during the national anthem at the Pan-American Games on Friday. Imboden took a knee and Berry raised her first.

Trenni Kusnierek, an anchor and reporter with NBC Sports Boston, told Boston Public Radio Tuesday that both athletes had signed contracts stating they would not use their platform to make political protests. Now, they may no longer be able to compete at the 2020 games in Tokyo.

"They have put their chances at risk of being able to represent the United States," Kusnierek said.

Jason Turesky is an Associate Producer for Boston Public Radio.