American Gold Medalist Kneels In Protest During National Anthem.
LEMON: Two American athletes, gold medalists, at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, protesting during the playing of the national anthem. Fencer Race Imboden knelt, saying he is calling out racism and gun violence among other things. Gwen Berry, winner of the gold medal in women's hammer throw competition raised her right fist, saying she is standing up to injustice happening in America and a president who is making it worse. Race Imboden is here to talk about it. Thank you so much.</s>RACE IMBODEN, OLYMPIC ATHLETE: Thank you for having me.</s>LEMON: I appreciate it. It was very courageous for you to do what you did. You tweeted out that you knelt to bring attention to racism, gun control, mistreatment of immigrants. You even called out the president for spreading hate. Talk to me about your decision to kneel. Why?</s>IMBODEN: You know, I was overseas for quite a bit of time. I was at the Pan Am Games competing. We just won gold medal. Right before I came out to the podium, I checked my phone and saw a post from my mother saying that it's time to use your voice. And I couldn't think of a better time to use my voice than when I had just succeeded and won a competition. And it was at a moment that really for me is the pinnacle of my happiness. But then to hear my anthem come on and think about the terrible week that followed with the shootings in El Paso and the terrible things that are going on at home.</s>LEMON: Dayton and El Paso were tipping points for you?</s>IMBODEN: Absolutely. Absolutely. I just think that seeing that kind of violence happen in your own the country that you love and that you represent, it's difficult to swallow.</s>LEMON: How's your mom feel about what you did?</s>IMBODEN: She's proud of me. She definitely -- she was proud when I did it and I think now she is a little nervous and definitely worried.</s>LEMON: Yeah. You said that you were inspired by Colin Kaepernick's protest against social injustice and police brutality. You know Colin Kaepernick has faced a whole lot of criticism from the president, who has attacked him many times.</s>IMBODEN: Yes.</s>LEMON: Listen to this.</s>TRUMP: I watched Colin Kaepernick. It was terrible. The NFL should have suspended him for one game, and he would have never done it again. I will tell you, you cannot disrespect our country, our flag, our anthem. You cannot do it. Kneeling during the playing of our national anthem, I think, is disgraceful. Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say get that son of the bitch off the field right now? Out! He's fired!</s>TRUMP: He's fired!</s>LEMON: What do you have to say to that? What would you tell the president?</s>IMBODEN: I don't think I have words for the president, but I can say that it makes me greatly disappointed to hear him talking about people that I think lead the country. I think athletes have always been leaders for people. They have always been people that have driven people of most of the time in the right direction and given people hope in times of need, whether it's Muhammad Ali or people like John Carlos and Tommie Smith. There's always an athlete at every moment in history that has spoken up and has caused change.</s>LEMON: I want to put the pictures. You mentioned the 1968 Olympics.</s>IMBODEN: Yes.</s>LEMON: Tommie Smith and John Carlos. They raised their fists at the podium to protest the treatment of African-Americans. They got suspended from the team. They were ordered to leave Mexico. Are you worried about the repercussions for your career?</s>IMBODEN: Yeah, I'm absolutely worried. You know, fencing is what I love to do. I have grown up fencing and have been fencing 16 years now. It brings me incredible joy. To have that taken away from me would be terrible. I have my dreams of Olympic gold. Taken away would be absolutely terrible.</s>LEMON: The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic committees are looking into possible disciplinary actions against you. Are you concerned? Have you heard anything?</s>IMBODEN: I haven't. I had a meeting with USOPC and they were friendly and cordial. There was kind of just air of "we are waiting." So, I'm waiting as well.</s>LEMON: Yeah. You know, people often worry about even if it has a detrimental effect on your career, are you still you proud of what you did? Was it worth it? Is it worth it now? Because we don't know what is going to happen.</s>IMBODEN: Yes. I think that as an athlete, you face losses all the time. You know, you lose. Most of the time, it's on you and it is just on you and for what you want. It's all personal. For the first time, I can imagine, you know, a reason that losing something, losing my sport, has a purpose. And so it doesn't feel to me like I'm doing it for myself. It feels to me like it is for something bigger than me. To stand up for people who don't have voices.</s>LEMON: Yeah. What you think about what Gwen Berry did?</s>IMBODEN: I think it's fantastic. I'm always proud to see athletes especially winning athletes speak up. She did it in a non-violent way.</s>LEMON: I have to run here. But you no know the Olympics in Tokyo, less than a year away. Are you going continue to protest?</s>IMBODEN: I am definitely going to continue to spread this message and push forward.</s>LEMON: Race Imboden, thank you very much. I appreciate it. Good luck to you.</s>IMBODEN: Thank you very much.</s>LEMON: Continue success.</s>IMBODEN: Thank you.</s>LEMON: Thank you so much. And thank you for watching. Our coverage continues.