L.A. Olympic officials ask IOC to allow athlete protests
4 years, 5 months ago

L.A. Olympic officials ask IOC to allow athlete protests

LA Times  

The Olympic rings and flag at the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee. The head organizer for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles has asked Olympic leaders for a rule change that would allow athletes to protest against racism either from the podium or at other times during the international competition. Casey Wasserman, chairman of the LA28 organizing committee, made his request in a letter delivered to Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, in mid-June. “I urge you to allow and encourage athletes to advocate against racism anywhere they can, including on and off the field of play.” At issue is Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which states that “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.” Earlier this year, the IOC issued new guidelines with a “no-no” list that included signs, arm bands and hand gestures. Being antiracist is central to our core human principles and, therefore, an embodiment of everything the Olympic Games symbolizes.” The IOC could not be reached for response.

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History of this topic

IOC Wants Russian Athletes to Compete as Neutrals Despite Risk of Boycott by Other Nations
1 year, 10 months ago

IOC Wants Russian Athletes to Compete as Neutrals Despite Risk of Boycott by Other Nations

News 18  

The Olympic movement is facing its biggest dilemma since the Cold War: bow to demands to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes or risk the first mass boycott of the Games in 40 years. Despite their fear of another boycott, after that in 1984 massively undermined the event, it appears the IOC are prepared to risk it in order to maintain …

IOC president Bach warns athletes against 'political demonstrations' on podiums
3 years, 6 months ago

IOC president Bach warns athletes against 'political demonstrations' on podiums

The Hindu  

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said on Friday that athletes should not make "political demonstrations" or express their private views on the medal podium at the Tokyo Games. READ: Olympics are ‘on the wrong side of history’ when it comes to free speech "The podium and the medal ceremonies are not made... for a political or other demonstration," Bach …

U.S. Olympic leaders say American athletes won’t be punished for protests
4 years, 1 month ago

U.S. Olympic leaders say American athletes won’t be punished for protests

LA Times  

John Carlos, left, and Tommie Smith pose for a photo in front of statue that honors their iconic, black-gloved protest at the 1968 Olympic Games, on the campus of San Jose State University. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee heeded calls from American athletes, announcing Thursday that it won’t sanction them for raising their fists or kneeling on the medals …

Tokyo Olympics 2020: IOC chief Thomas Bach says Games cannot become 'marketplace of demonstrations'
4 years, 2 months ago

Tokyo Olympics 2020: IOC chief Thomas Bach says Games cannot become 'marketplace of demonstrations'

Firstpost  

World Athletics chief and newly enshrined IOC member Sebastian Coe has backed athletes’ right to “take the knee” on the Olympic podium, as long as it was done with “complete respect” for other competitors. London: Olympic chief Thomas Bach warned against allowing the Games to “descend into a marketplace of demonstrations” on Saturday after criticism of a rule banning protests …

Bach: Olympic Games cannot be 'marketplace of demonstrations' - Sports News - Sportstar
4 years, 2 months ago

Bach: Olympic Games cannot be 'marketplace of demonstrations' - Sports News - Sportstar

The Hindu  

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said the Olympic Games are not about politics and must guard against becoming a “marketplace of demonstrations.” Against the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter movement to protest racial injustice, calls have increased this year for a change to Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which bans any form political protest during the Games. …

LA2028 unveils diversity logo; CEO preaches need for change
4 years, 4 months ago

LA2028 unveils diversity logo; CEO preaches need for change

Associated Press  

On a day the Los Angeles Olympic organizing committee unveiled an interactive logo it hopes will represent the diversity of the city, the chairman of LA2028 reiterated the need to push for a change to the long-standing rule that bars political protests on the medals stand. “I don’t believe anti-racist speech is political speech,” Casey Wasserman said. “I believe it …

LA 2028 chief urges IOC to allow anti-racist advocacy at Olympics
4 years, 5 months ago

LA 2028 chief urges IOC to allow anti-racist advocacy at Olympics

India TV News  

028 Los Angeles Olympics organising committee Chairman Casey Wasserman, in a letter to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, has pushed for allowing for advocacy of anti-racism at the Games. Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which the IOC says is designed to protect the neutrality of the Olympic movement and sport, states: "No kind of demonstration or political, religious …

US Olympic leaders open to challenging IOC rules restricting protests at the Games
4 years, 7 months ago

US Olympic leaders open to challenging IOC rules restricting protests at the Games

Firstpost  

The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee is open to challenging IOC rules restricting protests at the Olympics. The federation, in response to the nationwide protests following George Floyd’s killing, said it “stands with those who demand equality.” After that, CEO Sarah Hirshland announced the formation of an athletes’ working group that will, among other things, look into changing the IOC’s …

US Olympic leaders eye change on protests amid wary athletes
4 years, 7 months ago

US Olympic leaders eye change on protests amid wary athletes

Associated Press  

DENVER — The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is open to challenging IOC rules restricting protests at the Olympics. The federation, in response to the nationwide protests following George Floyd’s killing, said it “stands with those who demand equality.” After that, CEO Sarah Hirshland announced the formation of an athletes’ working group that will, among other things, look into changing …

IOC in talks about Rule 50, easing protest ban at Olympics
4 years, 7 months ago

IOC in talks about Rule 50, easing protest ban at Olympics

The Hindu  

Calls to do away with the International Olympic Committee's 'Rule 50', which bans inside-the-lines protests at the Games, have grown louder recently. Major sports federations — including FIFA, the ICC and the National Football League — have softened their stance regarding athletes protesting and allowed them to express their views in the field of play. However, in a teleconference on …

IOC details rules on political protests at Olympics
5 years ago

IOC details rules on political protests at Olympics

Associated Press  

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — No taking a knee at the Olympics. “We needed clarity and they wanted clarity on the rules,” said Kirsty Coventry, chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, which oversaw the new three-page document. Athletes 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 …

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