White Olympic fencer Race Imboden takes a knee at Pan Am Games during US national anthem to protest

White Olympic fencer Race Imboden, 26, took a knee while the US national anthem was played during a gold medal ceremony at the Pan American Games in Peru Two Americans used their medal-winning moments at the Pan American Games to draw attention to social issues back home they feel are spiraling out of control. She called out injustice in America 'and a president who's making it worse' The 30-year-old's protest on Saturday - which she told US media was aimed at 'extreme injustice' - echoed the iconic raised fist protest of US sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico 'Something has to be said. After taking a knee as the national anthem was played during gold medal ceremony at the Pan American Games in Peru on Friday, Imboden tweeted his reasons for the protest Imboden after he took a knee during a gold medal ceremony later said 'racism, gun control, mistreatment of immigrants,' were among the grievances at 'the top of a long list' he was protesting Imboden also tweeted that he was protesting 'a president who spreads hate,' without naming President Donald Trump 'We have a president who is racist and a misogynist, who doesn't value anybody but himself,' said Lewis, who was asked to weigh in on the issue of gender equality in sport. Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve is believed to be the first white NFL player to take a knee American professional soccer player and World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe took a knee before a game against the Netherlands in 2016 Even the entire Dallas Cowboys football team, along with owner Jerry Jones, took a knee during the national anthem before a game in 2017.