TOKYO — In the morning, Raven Saunders of the United States captured the silver medal in the shot-put.
At night, Saunders delivered the first political demonstration on the podium at the Tokyo Olympics when she raised her arms and crossed them in the shape of an X after receiving her medal, setting the stage for a standoff between the International Olympic Committee and Olympic leaders for the United States.
The organizations have conflicting rules and views regarding the exercise of free speech during the Olympics.
Asked after the medal ceremony as she walked toward a phalanx of television cameras about the meaning of the gesture, Saunders said it was “for oppressed people.