Representing the United States at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru another American athlete used their platform to make a statement. 26-year-old Race Imboden, a fencer who won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, took a knee Friday during the award ceremony where he took home a Gold and Bronze.
The fencer tweeted a photograph of him kneeling on the first-place podium with the caption:
We must call for change.
This week I am honored to represent Team USA at the Pan Am Games, taking home Gold and Bronze. My pride however has been cut short by the multiple shortcomings of the country I hold so dear to my heart. Racism, Gun Control, mistreatment of immigrants.
We must call for change.
This week I am honored to represent Team USA at the Pan Am Games, taking home Gold and Bronze. My pride however has been cut short by the multiple shortcomings of the country I hold so dear to my heart. Racism, Gun Control, mistreatment of immigrants, pic.twitter.com/deCOKaHQI9— Race Imboden (@Race_Imboden) August 10, 2019
According to the Associated Press, The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) says Imboden might receive disciplinary action following his protest. USOPC released a statement Saturday which read:
Every athlete competing at the 2019 Pan American Games commits to terms of eligibility, including to refrain from demonstrations that are political in nature. In this case, Race didn’t adhere to the commitment he made to the organizing committee and the USOPC…we respect his rights to express his viewpoints, but we are disappointed that he chose not to honor his commitment. Our leadership are reviewing what consequences may result.
