米女子ハンマー投げ選手、五輪委員会に謝罪要求　過去の扱いに対し

【ロサンゼルスＡＦＰ＝時事】陸上女子ハンマー投げのグウェン・ベリーが2日、黒人差別を非難する声明を発表した米国オリンピック・パラリンピック委員会（USOPC）に対し、それならば自分に対する以前の扱いも謝罪してほしいと要求した。（写真は第17回世界陸上ドーハ大会に出場した際のベリー）
　ミネソタ州ミネアポリスで、武器を持たない黒人男性が白人警官に首を膝で押さえられ死亡した事件を受けて、ＵＳＯＰＣは選手に書簡を送った。その中でサラ・ハーシュランド最高経営責任者（ＣＥＯ）は、この１週間の混乱を目にして「絶望感」を抱いており、「米国の黒人に不当な影響を及ぼす組織的な不平等を絶対的に非難する」と話している。
　しかしその言葉は、ベリーには空っぽに聞こえたようだ。２０１６年のリオデジャネイロ五輪にも出場しているベリーは、２０１９年のパンアメリカン競技大会で金メダルを獲得した際、表彰式で拳を突き上げて人種差別に抗議した。
　これに対してＵＳＯＰＣは注意を与え、１２か月の「執行猶予」にするが次は重い処分を科すと警告した。国際オリンピック委員会（ＩＯＣ）も１月、東京五輪の表彰台で抗議を行った場合は厳罰に処すと各選手に通達していた。
　ハーシュランドＣＥＯのコメントを受けて、ベリーは謝罪を求めている。
　「謝罪の手紙やメールがほしい。ちょうどあなたたちやＩＯＣが、執行猶予を言い渡すメールをしてきたときのように」「ばかにするのもいい加減にしてほしい」
　そのときの注意喚起でおよそ５万ドル（約５４０万円）のスポンサー収入を失ったベリーは、２日に公開されたスポーツ・イラストレイテッド誌のインタビューで、ようやく「理解された」気がすると話している。
　「私があのポーズを取ったときもいろいろなことが起こっていたけれど、誰も何もしなかった」「あのときは全く理解されなかった。だけど今は、みんなが私と同じ気持ちを味わっているように感じる」【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2020/06/04-13:26）

Hammer thrower Gwen Berry demanded an apology from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee on Tuesday as the organisation addressed the protests against police brutality roiling the country.
In a letter to US athletes following the death of an unarmed black man in Minneapolis, USOPC chief executive Sarah Hirshland said she felt a sense of despair witnessing the tumultuous scenes of the last week.
We absolutely condemn the systemic inequality that disproportionately impacts Black Americans in the United States, Hirshland wrote.
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.
Hirshland said the USOPC planned to hold an athlete town hall on Friday to give US athletes the chance to listen to each other, learn from each other, and support each other.
We can see that apathy and indifference are not solutions, Hirshland wrote. The USOPC stands with those who demand equality and we want to work in pursuit of that goal.
But the USOPC chief's comments rang hollow for hammer thrower Berry, who was given a dressing down by US officials last year for protesting during a medal ceremony at the Pan-American Games in Lima.
Berry, a member of the United States 2016 Olympic team, raised a clenched fist on the medal podium to protest racial injustice after winning gold in the hammer.
Berry was later given a reprimand by the USOPC for her protest and placed on probation for 12 months, with a warning she would face more severe punishment if she repeated the protest.
The International Olympic Committee also warned in January that any athlete protesting on the podium at the Tokyo Olympics would face stiff punishment.
Responding to Hirshland's comments on Tuesday, Berry called for an apology.
I want an apology letter .. mailed .. just like you and the IOC MAILED ME WHEN YOU PUT ME ON PROBATION, Berry said. Stop playing with me.
Berry has said the sanction cost her around $50,000 in lost sponsorship earnings.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated on Tuesday, Berry said she finally felt understood.
When I took my stance, it was at a time when things were happening, but nothing was being done, she said. When I took my stance, I was completely misunderstood. Now I feel like everyone feels how I felt.
Several social media users on Tuesday backed Berry's request for an apology.
Matt Conly, a throwing coach at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, said Hirshland's remarks were empty.
Less than a year ago you placed (Berry) under probation for peacefully demonstrating to bring positive attention to racial injustice, Conly wrote. I'll judge you by your actions not this PR statement. Apologize publically & do what is right!