'Olympic Athletes Taking Action with "X" Signs and Pink Masks'

US Men's Fencing ?p?e Team Sexual Assault Allegation: Haji Joins, Protest Ensues
Female Shot Put Silver Medalist Crosses Hands in X on Podium
"For the Oppressed and Those Without a Platform to Speak"

Raven Saunders, who won the silver medal in the women's shot put.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Park] Raven Saunders (USA), who won the silver medal in women's shot put, stood on the podium with a determined expression and crossed her hands to form an X. As a Black and openly gay athlete, she stated that this gesture was "for oppressed people, those struggling worldwide but without a platform to represent themselves." She also openly revealed that she suffers from depression.

This has deepened concerns within the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Mark Adams, IOC spokesperson, indicated that they have begun an investigation related to Saunders, saying, "We are in contact with World Athletics and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee." In response, foreign media such as the British Guardian criticized Article 50 of the Olympic Charter, which bans political, religious, and racial propaganda, as outdated, warning that Saunders' medal could be stripped.

This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Tommy Smith and John Carlos (both USA), gold and bronze medalists in athletics, raised black-gloved fists in support of the Black resistance movement and were severely punished. At the 2012 London Olympics, South Korea's Park Jong-woo was barred from attending the medal ceremony and had his medal withheld after holding a "Dokdo is our land" placard following the bronze medal match against Japan.

Previously, the IOC significantly relaxed this rule to allow athletes to express political opinions during competitions or outside the podium. However, athletes have not been satisfied and continue to boldly express their beliefs. Luciana Alvarado (Costa Rica), who performed an anti-racism gesture on the floor exercise, is a representative example. On May 25, after finishing her routine in the women's floor exercise qualifiers, she knelt on her right knee and raised her fist. This was in support of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. Protests also took place on grass fields. On May 21, the British women's soccer team knelt on one knee before their group stage match as a BLM protest against racial discrimination.

The U.S. men's ?p?e fencing team wore pink masks during the qualifiers on May 30. The only athlete wearing a black mask was alternate Alan Khaitch. The pink masks symbolized protest against Khaitch's inclusion on the Olympic team amid sexual assault allegations. The team showed solidarity with survivors of sexual violence. Khaitch had his athlete status suspended after being disciplined for sexual assault allegations during college but was reinstated after an appeal and boarded the flight to Tokyo. Ibtihaj Muhammad (USA), an Olympic medalist in women's fencing, publicly criticized Khaitch. On her Twitter, she stated, "The U.S. men's ?p?e fencing team all wore pink masks except for Khaitch," adding, "It was an act showing support for survivors of sexual assault."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.