The first political expression at the awards ceremony… Action for the “oppressed”
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(Seoul = Yonhap News) Special Report = Raven Saunders (25), a silver medalist in women’s shot put from the United States, crossed her hands on the podium to draw an ‘X’.
The New York Times (NYT) in the United States reported the news along with a picture of Saunders, saying that this is the first time that political opinions have been expressed at the Tokyo Olympic Awards ceremony on the 2nd.
Saunders threw 19m79 in the women’s shot put final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games held at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan the day before, placing second behind China’s Gong Li Zhao (20m58).
Saunders raised her arms in an ‘X’ shape above her head as she posed for photographers along with other medalists at the awards ceremony.
[AFP=연합뉴스]
Saunders, a black woman from South Carolina, said the gesture was for “the oppressed.”
Saunders calls himself ‘The Hulk’. Black and openly gay. He also proudly revealed that he was battling depression.
Saunders said his gesture was meant to honor “people around the world who struggle but don’t have a platform to represent them.”
Saunders was a three-time National University Champion while at the University of Mississippi.
“There are too many people looking up to us and trying to make sure we have something to say or we speak for them,” he said.
Having dyed his hair purple and green, he said his mission was “to be me” and “I won’t apologize.”
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Minutes after Saunders’ awards ceremony, the American fencing racer Imboden drew an X on the back of his right hand during the men’s foil team bronze medal ceremony and circled it on camera.
Lim Boden performed a kneeling performance when the national anthem was performed at the 2019 Pan American Convention (Pan American Continental Convention) awards ceremony.
The New York Times reported, “If you look at the photos, Im Boden didn’t have such a picture on his hand during the match,” the New York Times said.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expanded opportunities for political expression at the Tokyo Olympics. However, it is still prohibited during competitions and during awards ceremonies.
Saunders’ conduct is a clear violation of the rules. Saunders could be stripped of a medal or banned from future international competitions, the New York Times reported.
changyong@yna.co.kr
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2021/08/02 10:26 Send
