Pan American Games 2019: US athletes staging podium protests against US president Donald Trump let off with reprimand

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. Los Angeles: 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. Racism, Gun Control, mistreatment of immigrants, pic.twitter.com/deCOKaHQI9 — Race Imboden August 10, 2019 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.