The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee came down hard on two gold medal-winning athletes who chose to protest against injustice, racism and bigotry during medal presentations.

Fencer Race Imboden and hammer thrower Gwen Berry both took home medals at the recent Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, earlier this month. But instead of being praised for their athleticism, they will be placed on 12-month probation for staging protests following their victories.

“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,” two letters sent to the athletes read.

Imboden helped the U.S. fencing team take home gold at the games. He felt it necessary to call out racism at home by taking a knee during the national anthem.

We must call for change.
This week I am honored to represent Team USA at the Pan Am Games, taking home Gold and Bronze. My pride however has been cut short by the multiple shortcomings of the country I hold so dear to my heart. Racism, Gun Control, mistreatment of immigrants, pic.twitter.com/deCOKaHQI9

— Race Imboden (@Race_Imboden) August 10, 2019

The 26-year-old told The Washington Post he was inspired by the activism of Colin Kapernick. Issues such as gun control, the treatment of immigrants and racism influenced his decision as well.

“For me to kneel during the anthem, it’s the hardest place for me to get to in my sport — the top of the podium,” Imboden said. “So to sacrifice that moment for a bigger cause was why I chose to do that.”

Berry had similar reasons for raising a fist during the medal presentation. The gold medal-winning hammer thrower said the act was “just a testament to everything I’ve been through in the past year, and everything the country has been through this past year.”

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics athlete feels America can do better by its citizens. She added there is too much work to be done.

“I’m not trying to start a political war, or act like I’m Miss Know-it-all or anything like that,” she told The Post. “I just know America can do better.”

U.S. hammer thrower Gwen Berry raises her fist at the end of the national anthem at the Pan Am Games today. (h/t @sergeta) pic.twitter.com/gnBCEEDN1m

— Nick Zaccardi (@nzaccardi) August 11, 2019

According to NBC Sports, both athletes violated regulations regarding protests. The CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Sarah Hirshland wrote that protesting has no place at the Pan American Games or future Olympic Games.

“It is also important for me to point out that, going forward, issuing a reprimand to other athletes in a similar instance is insufficient,” Hirshland wrote in the letters sent out August 20.

In the meantime, the year-long probation is essentially the first step to more dire consequences. The letter stated the committee will be "working with the [athletes and national governing body councils], we are committed to more explicitly defining what the consequences will be for members of Team USA who protest at future Games.”

As for now, Imboden and Berry are still eligible to compete in the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Race-Imboden

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