Taking a knee, raising his fist to be punished at Tokyo Games-IOC

The Olympic rings are presented in front of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters during the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Lausanne, Switzerland, February 24, 2021. REUTERS / Denis? Balibouse

Taking a knee during the Tokyo Olympics or raising a fist in support of racial equality will be punished because the International Olympic Committee on Wednesday upheld its ban on athletes’ protests inside stadiums, ceremonies and on podiums.

Rule 50 of the IOC prohibits any “political, religious or racial demonstration or propaganda” in places and in any other Olympic area, and the Games body concluded that the rule should be maintained after consultation with athletes.

Against the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter movement protesting against racial injustice, calls have increased in recent months for a change to that rule that would allow athletes to protest.

Some heads of the international federation, including World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, have said that athletes should have the right to make political protests during the Games.

The head of the CIO’s Sports Commission, Kirsty Coventry, who led a review of the rule, said most of the athletes consulted were against any protests on the playing fields or on the podiums.

“I wouldn’t want anything to distract me from my competition and get rid of it. I feel that way today,” Coventry, a former Olympic swimming champion for Zimbabwe, said in an online presentation of the results of the Rule 50 consultation.

Coventry said there were a number of recommendations approved by the IOC Executive Board on Wednesday, including clarifying sanctions, more information on Rule 50, a change in the wording of the Olympic oath with messages on the inclusion and production of sportswear. with inclusive messages.

However, when asked if athletes will be punished in Tokyo for making political statements, such as kneeling on the podium in support of racial equality, Coventry said, “Yes, that’s right.”

“That’s because of most of the athletes I’ve talked to. That’s what he’s asking for,” Coventry said.

The IOC recommendations are the result of a consultation process that began in June 2020 and involved over 3,500 athletes.

Coventry said about 70 percent of these athletes do not want protests on podiums, ceremonies and playgrounds.

The Tokyo Olympics, postponed by a year due to the pandemic, began on July 23.

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