During the Pan American games in Lima, Peru, earlier this month, two American athletes—in separate medal ceremonies—made silent protests during the playing of the U.S. national anthem. Fencer Race Imboden and hammer thrower Gwen Berry, kneeled and held up a fist respectively, while standing on the victor’s platforms of their events. Both athletes explained that they knew there were consequences for their actions but that the sacrifice was worth making their statements about our country’s current xenophobic and inhumane policies.
On Thursday, CNN reported that both athletes have been put on “probation” by the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee for the next 12 months. This time frame means that both can participate in US Olympic & Paralympic Committee sanctioned events, like the upcoming 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Sarah Hirshland, the CEO of the committee wrote "while I respect your perspective—and that of every athlete for whom I'm lucky enough to serve—I disagree with the moment and manner in which you chose to express your views." The letter also explains that “The goal of a Games that are free from political speech is to focus our collective energy on the athletes’ performances, and the international unity and harmony each Games seek to advance.”
Neither athlete has made any statement concerning today’s decision. It will be interesting to see whether athletes not on probation will have their own silent things to say in Tokyo next summer.