US athletes warned over Pan Am podium protests

Two US athletes who staged podium protests at the recent Pan American Games have been reprimanded but will not face further punishment by United States Olympic chiefs, USA Today reported on Wednesday. READ | Fencer Race Imboden kneels on podium during American anthem Imboden took a knee during the playing of the US national anthem while Berry raised a clenched fist before later calling out social injustice “and a president who’s making it worse.” The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee later issued a statement expressing “disappointment” at the athlete protests, warning it was reviewing what action to take. However, while Hirshland said she admired each athlete’s decision “to be an active citizen”, she warned that they could face serious sanctions if there was any repeat in the next 12 months -- a period covering next year’s 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Notifying the athletes that they faced “a probationary period for the next 12 months,” Hirshland said: “This means you could face more serious sanctions for any additional breach of our code of conduct than might otherwise be levied for an athlete in good standing.” Hirshland said US Olympic officials would work with the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee and athletes to “more clearly define for Team USA athletes what a breach of these rules will mean in the future.” ‘Fundamental freedom’ Trump has clashed repeatedly with professional athletes who have protested against racial injustice in the United States, accusing NFL players who kneeled during the national anthem of being unpatriotic. The prospect of US athletes protesting against Trump at next year’s Olympics could potentially lead to sanctions by the IOC, whose charter forbids any “demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda” in Olympic arenas.