In spite of numerous allegations of sexual assault, Team USA fencer Alen Hadzic made it to the Tokyo Olympics—but his teammates, frustrated with their affiliation with a man that six woman fencers had spoken out about, decided to take a stand. At their Friday match against Japan, three of Hadzic's fellow épée team members wore pink masks in a plain-sight protest against Hadzic, who was banned from the Olympic Village in light of the allegations but allowed to compete under the Team USA umbrella. (Hadzic denies the allegations, which are currently under investigation.)
BuzzFeed News—which initially reported on the shocking circumstances of Hadzic's journey to Tokyo in spite of the multiple female fencers who shared with the Olympic committee that they were "gravely concerned" about his potential behavior in Tokyo—confirmed with fencing sources that the pink masks were a protest against Hadzic and the predatory behavior of which he's accused. One fencer told BuzzFeed's Tasneem Nashrulla and Brianna Sacks: "They wanted to make a distinction between themselves that they didn't stand for sexual assault or abuse against women. These athletes wanted to have a voice where US Fencing and SafeSport failed."
In this photo from Friday, shared by former Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, Hadzic stands behind his teammates—Hadzic in a black face mask, the others in pink:
#TeamUSA men’s epee team wore pink masks for their opening match at the Olympics as a show of support for sexual assault victims. Alen Hadzic— their teammate accused of rape and sexual assault— is on the left. Kudos to the team for taking a stand. #BelieveWomen pic.twitter.com/yRI4azelKNJuly 30, 2021
While Hadzic served as an épée alternate, meaning he was only going to compete if another teammate was sick or injured—which did not happen—the decision by USA Fencing to bring him to Tokyo and create a "safety plan" to keep him away from women and the Olympic Village was met with widespread horror. "The extra effort to protect Hadzic is yet another reminder of just how differently the rules are applied to a straight white man," wrote Andrew Lawrence in The Guardian.
RELATED STORY
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Jenny is the Digital Director at Marie Claire. Originally from London, she moved to New York in 2012 to attend the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and never left. Prior to Marie Claire, she spent five years at Bustle building out its news and politics coverage. She loves, in order: her dog, goldfish crackers, and arguing about why umbrellas are fundamentally useless. Her first novel, EVERYONE WHO CAN FORGIVE ME IS DEAD, will be published by Minotaur Books on February 6, 2024.
-
Zendaya and Tom Holland Have Discussed Marriage, Source Claims
But right now they're busy with work.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Told Princess Charlotte's Favorite Joke, And I'm Cackling
Help, I have the sense of humor of an 8-year-old.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Benny Blanco Says He Had a 'Clueless' Moment Realizing He Was in Love With Selena Gomez
The reference! The sweetness!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Flag Football Star Diana Flores on the Collective Power of Women's Sports
"I bet if you see a female athlete succeed, you're going to cheer with her."
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Who is Athing Mu, the 800-Meter Olympic Star?
She likes Grey's Anatomy AND might win gold!
By Megan DiTrolio Published
-
What Does "ROC" Mean at the Tokyo Olympics?
It's a temporary workaround in the aftermath of Russia's massive doping scandal.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
What Makes an Olympic Moment?
In the past it meant overcoming struggle...and winning. But why must athletes suffer to be inspiring?
By Megan DiTrolio Published
-
Who Is Sunisa "Suni" Lee, the Olympic Gymnast on the Cusp of Becoming a Household Name?
She scooped up gold at the Tokyo all-around competition.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
Adria Biles, Simone Biles' Sister, Is a Former Gymnast and Simone's Biggest Fan
Simone Biles' little sister, Adria Biles, is a fellow gymnast, a Simone lookalike, and a fierce champion of her famous sister.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
16 Simone Biles Quotes to Forever Be Inspired By
"I have to do what’s right for me and focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and well-being."
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
Elite Track, Are You Okay?
Numerous women track and field athletes have been disqualified for breaking the rules. It might be time for some new rules.
By Megan DiTrolio Published