Costa Rican Gymnast Ends Olympics Floor Routine With Black Lives Matter Tribute

The teen paid homage to the Black Lives Matter movement by incorporating a demonstration in which she kneeled and raised a clenched fist in the air into her routine.

Luciana Alvarado (Image Source: AP)

New Delhi: According to reports, this is the first of its kind on an international gymnastics stage. On July 25, Costa Rican gymnast Luciana Alvarado created a powerful and possibly lasting Olympic moment.

The teen paid homage to the Black Lives Matter movement by incorporating a demonstration in which she kneeled and raised a clenched fist in the air into her routine.

Alvarado explained that she incorporated the move into her routine to emphasise "the importance of everyone (being) treated with respect and dignity"

“Because we’re all the same, and we’re all beautiful and amazing,” she said.

Alvarado is the first Costa Roca gymnast to qualify for the Olympics. On Sunday, she finished her floor by keeling and raising her right fist into the air.

Political protests are prohibited during the games, according to the International Olympic Committee. “No form of advertising or other publicity shall be allowed,” the IOC rules state. According to the Associated Press, Alvarado is unlikely to face punishment because her BLM tribute was part of her routine.

Before the event on Sunday, the 18-year-old shared her thoughts on a podcast.

"I feel like if you do something that brings everyone together, you know, and you see that here, like ‘Yes, you’re one of mine, you understand things,’ the importance of everyone treated with respect and dignity and everyone having the same rights because we’re all the same and we’re all beautiful and amazing,” Alvarado stated this on the GymCastic podcast on Friday, prior to the event.

According to reports, this is the first of its kind on an international gymnastics stage.

Alvarado's score of 12.166 on the floor was insufficient to advance her to the finals. She has, however, won the hearts of millions by paying tribute to the BLM movement on the world's largest sporting stage.

"I cannot help but feel proud," one Twitter user wrote in Spanish.

"Love the courage!!!" wrote another.