US Fencers Wore Pinks Masks In Protest Of Teammate

“We’re gravely involved concerning the affect Mr. Hadzic’s potential presence can have on different Staff USA athletes,” the ladies wrote on Could 20.

Whereas the US Heart for SafeSport, the nonprofit company answerable for defending athletes from abuse, suspended Hadzic from the Olympics final month because of the investigation, he fought to get his prohibition lifted by an arbitration course of.

USA Fencing created a “security plan” to maintain Hadzic away from ladies and out of the Olympic Village, which included him touring and staying individually from his teammates.

He was additionally forbidden from practising with ladies teammates.

Hadzic has denied the allegations of sexual misconduct, telling USA Today that “they’re untruths.” His lawyer, Michael Palma, informed the New York Times that his shopper had by no means dedicated any acts of sexual assault.

USA Fencing didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark concerning the pink masks.

However the stunt earned reward from US fencer and 2016 Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad.

“Kudos to the group for taking a stand,” she tweeted on Friday.