The Olympic rings are pictured in front of the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Lausanne, Switzerland, 24 February 2021. REUTERS / Denis? Balibouse
Taking a knee or lifting a fist during the Tokyo Olympics in support of racial equality will be punished because the International Olympic Committee on Wednesday upheld its ban on protests by athletes in stadiums, at ceremonies and on podiums.
The IOC’s Rule 50 prohibits any form of ‘demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda’ in local and any other Olympic area, and the Games body concluded that the rule should be maintained after an athlete’s consultation.
Against the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter movement protesting racial injustice, calls have intensified in recent months for a change in the rule enabling athletes to protest.
Some heads of the international federation, including President of World Athletics Sebastian Coe, said athletes should have the right to make political protests during the Games.
The head of the IOC’s athletics commission, Kirsty Coventry, who led a review of the rule, said most of the athletes consulted were against protest marches inside the playing field or on the podiums.
“I do not want anything to distract from my competition and not take it any further. That’s how I still feel today,” Coventry, a former Olympic swimming champion for Zimbabwe, said in an online presentation of the results of the Rule 50 said.
Coventry said there were a series of recommendations approved by the IOC’s Executive Council on Wednesday, including clarification on sanctions, more information on Rule 50, a change in the wording of the Olympic Oath with messages on inclusion, and the production of athlete clothing with inclusive messages.
When asked, however, Coventry was asked whether athletes in Tokyo would be punished for political pronouncements such as taking a knee on the podium in support of racial equality. “Yes, that’s correct.”
“It’s also because of the majority of athletes we spoke to. That’s what they’re asking for,” Coventry said.
The IOC’s recommendations are the result of a consultation process that began in June 2020 and involved more than 3,500 athletes.
According to Coventry, about 70% of athletes do not want demonstrations on podiums, ceremonies and playing fields.
The Tokyo Olympics, which were delayed by a year due to the pandemic, begin on July 23.
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