After winning the gold medal in the Hammer Throw at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, Gwen Berry of the United States raised her fist during the U.S. National Anthem while topping the podium.

In an exclusive video interview with Panam Sports, the U.S. National Record holder details what went through her mind in the moment of her peaceful protest, and her ideas of how the Olympic Movement needs to improve to hear and respect the athlete voice.

Click here to watch Gwen Berry’s gold medal performance at Lima 2019.

In the wake of civil unrest and protests throughout the United States following the tragic killing of George Floyd, many sports organizations have received criticism for their treatment of athletes who use their platform to protest. In response, organizations such as the National Football League and the International Olympic Committee are beginning to change their tune in regards to how they handle cases of peaceful of pretests.

At the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, Gwen Berry won the gold medal in the women’s hammer throw for the United States. After receiving her medal on the podium, the U.S. National Anthem began to play, and it was clear that the significance of the moment was weighing on her mind. At the end of the anthem, Gwen raised her right fist in the air, invoking memories of Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the Mexico 1968 Olympic Games.

Two weeks after her triumphant performance and peaceful podium protest, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee handed Gwen a one-year probation for violating the infamous “Rule 50” of the IOC. Rule 50 states that athletes are forbidden from making political statements or gestures during the Games.

Nearly a year later, sports organizations have released statements supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, yet that movement was what caused athletes like Gwen Berry to peacefully protest in the first place. Gwen demanded and received an apology from the USOPC for her probation and is now in conversation with the organization and its Athlete Commission about how to revise the rules to allow athletes to use their platforms to advocate for social change.

“I think the first step is for athletes to understand their power and their voice. I think that athletes don’t understand how imperative we are in this whole process. It’s because of us that the sport exists. I feel like athletes need to understand how our voice and our power does matter. That’s one of the things I realized when I did protest - I’m public enemy number one and I didn’t even say anything, I just put my fist up!” Gwen told Panam Sports in an exclusive video interview available on Panam Sports Channel.

To change the status quo, Gwen’s goal is simple — repeal and change Rule 50.

“The IOC and athletes, we have to come to an agreement. I feel like there are creative ways we can come up with where athletes may not make a physical gesture, but they can wear a badge, or a ribbon, or they can wear something on their jersey, shirt or podium uniform. Something creative can come of it, but athletes are only given one chance and one opportunity. The Olympics are every four years, so I sacrificed eight or ten years to get here and you’re telling me I can’t do anything?” Gwen emphasized.

“However, I think the biggest issue with protesting or not, is the fact that the IOC reprimands athletes for protesting, they take everything from them — medals, career, everything — but yet they glorify you. I think that’s the biggest issue and it’s so hypocritical it’s not even funny. If you’re going to say you cannot protest and take things from us, cool. But don’t say we can’t protest and then put us in a museum for protesting and for making this movement and for being iconic for doing that,” Gwen concluded.

With the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Gwen’s one-year probation will conclude before the Games, making her eligible to make the U.S. Athletics team and compete in Tokyo. Although her focus will be on becoming an Olympic Champion, she says she hopes to see more athletes using their voice and their platform to invoke social change.

Panam Sports is currently working with its Athlete Commission to review these policies regarding protests at the Games and encourages athletes to continue sharing their views and advocating for positive social change.