Athletes at the Tokyo Olympics this summer have been told that they better not protest on the field, on the medal stand or in the Olympic Village, according to new guidelines.
Prohibited acts of protest include"gestures of a political nature, like a hand gesture or kneeling," the recently distributed Rule 50 Guidelines say. Athletes will be allowed to express their opinions on digital or traditional media, or on other platforms. They can also do it when being interviewed at news conferences or in an area called the mixed zone, according to the International Olympic Committee.
"Read MoreFrom the Black Power Salute to Colin Kaepernick: What's changed?Rule 50 of the Olympic charter says athletes will engage in"No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."The guidelines ban podium protests, such as the black-gloved fists of US Olympic medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos on the victory dais after the men's 200 meters at the 1968 Olympics.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
IOC details rules on political protests at OlympicsAthletes who break protest rules at the July 24-Aug. 9 Tokyo Games face three rounds of disciplinary action—by the IOC, a sport’s governing body and a national Olympic body.
Read more »
International Olympic Committee bans political statements by athletes at gamesThe new policies were drafted after two U.S. athletes were reprimanded for podium gestures at the Pan-American Games in August.
Read more »
Tokyo 2020 takes 'out-of-the-box' approach with cardboard bedsAthletes competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will sleep on bed frames made from recyclable cardboard, with mattresses formed of polyethylene materials that will be reused for plastic products after the Games
Read more »
Olympic Athletes May Face Punishment if They Kneel or Raise Fists During the GameA new crackdown on a longstanding anti-protest rule makes clear that no form of political statement is welcome at the games.
Read more »
Plane likely shot down in Iran by surface-to-air missile, Trudeau saysPrime Minister Justin Trudeau says he’s received evidence from intelligence sources suggesting the plane that crashed in Iran on Wednesday, killing at least 63 Canadians, was shot down by a surface-to-air missile
Read more »