The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

Olympia in Tokyo: Shot putter Raven Saunders threatens punishment after protest gesture

2021-08-02T06:32:39.900Z


The shot putter Raven Saunders uses the silver medal to show her solidarity with "oppressed people". The IOC is initiating investigations.


Enlarge image

Raven Saunders shows the X, the IOC is investigating the incident

Photo:

Francisco Seco / AP

At the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the US shot putter Raven Saunders faces a penalty for a “political” protest at an award ceremony.

The 25-year-old crossed her arms over her head after winning the silver medal on the podium.

With the "X-gesture" she wanted to express solidarity for the rights of "oppressed people," said Saunders.

The X is the intersection where all oppressed people meet.

  • Read everything you need to know about the Tokyo Olympics in the Olympics Update.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Monday morning that it is investigating the incident.

Spokesman Mark Adams said the IOC is in contact with the World Athletics Federation WA and the US National Olympic Committee (NOK).

However, in the run-up to the games, the NOK had declared that it would not sanction its own athletes in the event of protests.

Saunders with an eye-catching appearance

The black athlete Saunders is a public advocate for the interests of people of color, and she is also committed to the LGBTQ community.

At the Olympic final, she made a garish appearance with a striking mask and brightly colored hair.

The IOC had softened its strict opposition to political protests during the Games, the controversial Rule 50, tolerating peaceful gestures before the competition.

The German hockey captain Nike Lorenz was allowed to play with a rainbow armband on her neck with the permission of the IOC.

The IOC prohibited political protests at awards ceremonies.

hba / sid

Source: spiegel

All sports articles on 2021-08-02

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.