When Olympians stood for more than gold.

The IOCs role is to oppose any political or commercial abuse of sport and athletes."

But what’s a gold medal worth when injustices occur all over the world?

Topic Page 2024 Summer Olympics Eli Lilly badge

When Olympians stood for more than gold.

These 14 athletes stood for something during their appearance at the Olympics.

It was a moment when she publicly opposed the Soviet regime and advocated for Czechoslovak independence.

Jesse Owens, in athletic attire, starts a race at a stadium filled with spectators

ABC / Viayoutube.comPerBBC, Czech gymnast Věra Čáslavská protested against Soviet-led invasions at the 1968 Olympics, where she turned her head away from the Soviet flag during the medal ceremony. It was a moment when she publicly opposed the Soviet regime and advocated for Czechoslovak independence.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos stand on the Olympic podium with raised fists, while Peter Norman stands next to them

Feyisa Lilesa crosses the finish line with arms crossed over his head during a marathon, wearing athletic gear with "Ethiopia" and "Lilesa" printed on it

Waseem Abu Sal shows solidarity to the Palestinian cause at the Olympics.

Male athlete in USA jacket smiling and holding up a bronze Olympic medal

Raven Saunders at the Olympics, holding a bouquet and silver medal, arms crossed in an "X" above her head. They wears a white track jacket

Female athlete standing on a track, smiling with hands on hips, draped in flags post-race

Ibtihaj Muhammad wearing fencing gear and holding her mask, standing on a fencing strip

Megan Rapinoe and her teammates kneel on the soccer field during a game, wearing their team uniforms

Olympic skier Olena Bilosiuk, in blue and yellow gear, stands on the snowy slope during a race

Athlete on podium holds up a shirt reading "Activist Athlete" with a bouquet, obscuring their face, at a sports event

A young Muhammad Ali is seated, smiling, as a woman standing next to holds up the medallion around his neck