An Olympic gymnast has been praised on social media for performing a tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement during her routine.
According to CBS News, the 18-year-old Costa Rican athlete Luciana Alvarado ended her floor routine on Sunday with a clever flourish.
She ended her display by taking a knee and tilting her head back with her fist raised towards the sky, in a show of solidarity with the movement protesting police brutality and racial profiling.
However, sadly for Alvarado, her routine during the competition earned her a 12.166, meaning that she will not move forward to the finals for the event this year.
Per The Independent, Alvarado told reporters prior to taking to the mat that she had incorporated the pose, "because we're all the same and we're all beautiful and amazing."
She added that she wanted to highlight "the importance of everyone [being] treated with respect and dignity."
On social media, a number of Twitter users have since reacted to the young woman's powerful gesture of solidarity.
For instance, one person wrote: "Shout out Luciana Alvarado. Here's to rooting for Costa Rican athletes with unfettered enthusiasm."
Another agreed, stating: "Special shout out to #LucianaAlvarado. She is a breath of fresh air. [sic]"
Finally, someone else added: "Very inspiring! Proud of her. [sic]"
Alvarado's gesture comes in the wake of the International Olympic Committee changing the rules regarding protests ahead of the games, allowing for some demonstrations to occur before a competition.
Known as 'Rule 50' in the Olympic charter, athletes are typically prohibited from any "kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."
However, as reported by The Sun, political gestures such as a raised fist gestures are now allowed before the start of races and games, on the field, and at the start line.
The medal podiums where athletes receive their medals are off-limits for protests, and with the IOC leaving each sport’s governing body free to retain the ban.
However, the change of rules had provoked some concern among sports lawyers, with many worried about looming controversy overshadowing the competition itself.
Commenting on the change in rules in a recent debate on athlete activism, sports law academic Antoine Duval stated during a recent debate on displays of activism at Tokyo: "I think we can clearly expect some frictions around Rule 50 in the coming weeks."
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