The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) doesn't mess around with the rules. He placed two athletes on 12-month probation who demonstrated their political opposition during the last Pan American Games, held in Lima, Peru. Fencer Race Imboden dropped to one knee (photo below) on the podium during the playing of the American national anthem. Hammer thrower Gwen Berry raised her fist, in the same circumstances, during the medal ceremony. Both thus violated an agreement signed by American athletes before participating in international competitions. Probation means both athletes will be eligible to compete in the Tokyo Olympics next year. They therefore avoid the worst, but will have to curb their desire for activism in the future. USOPC Executive Director Sarah Hirshland wrote to both athletes to inform them of their sanction. “ This means you could face tougher penalties for any additional violations of our code of conduct.”, she specifies in her letter, including the daily USA Today got a copy.
