USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland to Athletes: “United We Stand” on Social Justice

Photo Courtesy: USOPC

United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland published a letter to athletes Tuesday in response to recent protests over social injustice and police brutality.

The letter comes in response to days of protests in many American cities, sparked by last week’s killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in custody of the Minneapolis police department. Hirshland’s letter follows many other professional sports teams and organizations broadcasting their positions.

Hirshland emphasizes the diversity of “race, gender, geography and perspective” that USOPC athletes represent. The letter announces an athlete town hall Friday for athletes to “openly discuss how you have been impacted personally, listen to each other, learn from each other, and support each other.”

She writes:

“We absolutely condemn the systemic inequality that disproportionately impacts Black Americans in the United States. It has no place in ours or any other community. It is clear there are no forces as ugly, damaging and demeaning as racism and marginalization practiced by some of those in positions of authority. It played out in Minneapolis in the most tragic and unconscionable way imaginable. It is being felt intensely across the United States day after day.”

The USOPC doesn’t have the most steadfast record on athlete protests, even in recent times. Fencer Race Imboden and hammer thrower Gwen Berry were each reprimanded and placed on a 12-month probation after medal-stand protests at last summer’s Pan American Games. Imbolden took a knee on the podium as the American men were awarded the gold medal in the team foil competition. Berry raised a fist and bowed her head for a portion of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the podium.

Many athletes have participated in #blackoutTuesday on social media and have used their voices to chime in on the protests. That group includes prominent swimmers like Cullen Jones, Lia Neal, Simone Manuel, Natalie Hinds and others.

Sarah Hirshland’s letter concludes:

“We can see that apathy and indifference are not solutions. The USOPC stands with those who demand equality and we want to work in pursuit of that goal. We must do everything in our power to ensure equality promised is equality achieved. We are committed to providing opportunities for our community to engage, to learn, and connect to resources for them to become advocates and take action.

“We’ve long celebrated the great power of sport as a way to unify nations and people in conflict. Today, and as we go forward, we believe unity among teammates, friends and colleagues can start to help heal our own.”

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