“Let them try and take this medal,” wrote Raven Saunders — Black, lesbian, South Carolinian — after expressing herself on the podium as Olympic champion shot putter with something to say. During the photo op at her medals ceremony, Saunders stepped off the podium — so, maybe technically within the rules — and gestured that “X” with her crossed wrists. Saunders did wait until the flag of Chinese gold medallist Gong Lijiao was raised and her anthem played. In that sense Saunders has carved a deeper path within a social movement among athletes who’ve taken up the cause of social justice. Will the Lords of the Rings come after Saunders’ silver?

Source: thestar August 02, 2021 17:37 UTC