'Cowardice': Olympics Committee Slammed for New Guidelines Barring Athletes From Kneeling, Raising F [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Common Dreams

Published on
Friday, January 10, 2020
by Common Dreams

"God how I despise these Olympic politician opportunists."

by Andrea Germanos, staff writer

The International Olympic Committee drew sharp criticism from rights advocates Thursday after the organization issued revised guidelines banning athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Games from staging protests at the event including kneeling during their national anthem or raising their fists into the air.

"So the IOC is doubling down on the disgraceful treatment of athletes in 1968?" asked Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Ifill was referring to the iconic moment at the Mexico City Olympics when black Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos, as they were awarded their gold and bronze medals, respectively, wore black gloves, took off their shoes, and held their fists high to protest poverty and racism. The IOC responded by expelling Smith and Carlos.

The IOC announced the guidelines for Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter Thursday. Among the specific actions (pdf) now banned are:

Displaying any political messaging, including signs or armbands

Gestures of a political nature, like a hand gesture or kneeling

Refusal to follow the Ceremonies protocol.

Read more: https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/01/10/cowardice-olympics-committee-slammed-new-guidelines-barring-athletes-kneeling