White Olympic fencer Race Imboden, 26, took a knee while the US national anthem was played during a gold medal ceremony at the Pan American Games in Peru

Two Americans used their medal-winning moments at the Pan American Games to draw attention to social issues back home they feel are spiraling out of control.

During their medals ceremonies at the multi-sport event in Lima, fencer Race Imboden, 26, took a knee and hammer thrower Gwen Berry raised her fist.

Both athletes could represent the US less than a year from now at the Tokyo Olympics, where similar protests would be seen by a much wider audience.

'Racism, gun control, mistreatment of immigrants, and a president who spreads hate are at the top of a long list' of America's problems, Imboden said in a tweet sent after his team's foil medals ceremony.

'I chose to sacrifice my moment today at the top of the podium to call attention to issues that I believe need to be addressed.

'I encourage others to please use your platforms for empowerment and change.'

Berry raised her fist as America's national anthem was played to honor her win in the hammer throw.

She called out injustice in America 'and a president who's making it worse'.

'It's too important to not say something,' Berry told USA Today.

The 30-year-old's protest on Saturday - which she told US media was aimed at 'extreme injustice' - echoed the iconic raised fist protest of US sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.

'Something has to be said. If nothing is said, nothing will be done, and nothing will be fixed, and nothing will be changed.'

Scroll down for video

Hammer thrower Gwen Berry (center) raised her fist on the awards podium on Friday. She called out injustice in America 'and a president who's making it worse'

The 30-year-old's protest on Saturday - which she told US media was aimed at 'extreme injustice' - echoed the iconic raised fist protest of US sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico

'Something has to be said. If nothing is said, nothing will be done, and nothing will be fixed, and nothing will be changed,' Berry added

Imboden previously took a knee along with teammate Miles Chamley-Watson, throughout the 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' at a World Cup event in Egypt in 2017.

The actions by Berry and Imboden will test the Pan Am Sports Organization and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee's resolve to enforce rules that restrict political protests.

The USOPC said in a statement on Sunday that its leadership is reviewing possible consequences.

Berry is on the US team that will head to the track and field world championships next month.

'Every athlete competing at the 2019 Pan American Games commits to terms of eligibility, including to refrain from demonstrations that are political in nature,' USOPC spokesman, Mark Jones, told the Daily Mail.

'In these cases, the athletes didn't adhere to the commitment they made to the organizing committee and the USOPC. We respect their rights to express their viewpoints, but we are disappointed that they chose not to honor their commitment.'

Current athletes weren't the only ones who have used the Pan Am Games to call out Trump, with Olympic athletics legend Carl Lewis - attending at the invitation of Lima Organizers - also weighing in.

After taking a knee as the national anthem was played during gold medal ceremony at the Pan American Games in Peru on Friday, Imboden (kneeling above) tweeted his reasons for the protest

Imboden (kneeling above) after he took a knee during a gold medal ceremony later said 'racism, gun control, mistreatment of immigrants,' were among the grievances at 'the top of a long list' he was protesting

Imboden (left, with Gustavo Alarcon of Chile in the men's foil competition) also tweeted that he was protesting 'a president who spreads hate,' without naming President Donald Trump

'We have a president who is racist and a misogynist, who doesn't value anybody but himself,' said Lewis, who was asked to weigh in on the issue of gender equality in sport.

'My mother was a pioneer. My parents were teachers and they taught us that everyone deserves the same opportunities,' said Lewis, who counts nine Olympic gold medals among his 10 total.

'Of course I'm for (equal pay) in athletics. We shouldn't even be talking about it.'

Taking a knee during the national anthem was originally a protest made predominantly by black athletes taking a stand against racial injustice and police brutality.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers, who is black, was first to do so during the national anthem before a 2016 game, sparking outcry from the National Football League and critics, including President Trump.

Several players continued with the protests, including Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve, believed to be the first white NFL player to take a knee.

Colin Kaepernick (left with Eli Harold ) of the 49ers was first to take a knee during the national anthem before a 2016 game, sparking outcry from the NFL and critics. Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve (right) is believed to be the first white NFL player to take a knee

American professional soccer player and World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe took a knee before a game against the Netherlands in 2016

Even the entire Dallas Cowboys football team, along with owner Jerry Jones, took a knee during the national anthem before a game in 2017.

Other protesters include white American professional soccer player and World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe, who took knee before a game against the Netherlands in 2016.

Former Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell, who is white, took a knee before a game against the Seattle Mariners in 2017.

Maxwell's protest was in direct response to comments made by Trump, who complained football franchises should fire any player who knelt during the national anthem.

The symbolism of taking a knee has since been broadened by some athletes as a form of demanding all forms of social justice.