No kneeling, no raised fists: IOC details rules on political protests at Olympics

Athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Games will be prohibited from engaging in any political demonstrations, such as taking a knee or raising a fist, unless they are outside Olympic venues, such as the field of play or the medal ceremonies. The IOC clarified its rules on political demonstrations for the 2020 Tokyo Games at the press conference For years, athletes have been barred by the Olympic Charter's Rule 50 from taking a political stand in the field of play - like the raised fists by American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Mexico City Games. Previously a political gesture at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics went unpunished in the men's marathon when Feyisa Lilesa crossed his wrists at the finish line to show support with freedom-seeking protesters in Ethiopia Gold medalist Race Imboden of United States takes a knee during the National Anthem Ceremony in the podium of Fencing Men's Foil Team Gold Medal Match Match on Day 14 of Lima 2019 Pan American Games '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. Several German Olympians made the so-called 'Roman salute' at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, including long jumper Lutz Long, who did so alongside Jesse Owens as the track and field legend saluted the U.S. flag by raising his right hand to his brow 'Athletes at the Olympic Games are part of a global community with many different views, lifestyles and values,' the document continues. Dmitry Chernyshenko, the head of the Sochi Organizing Committee, said prior to the 2014 Games that athletes would not be able to make political statements in news conferences, but could use a 'free speech zone' to do so 10 miles away from the Olympic village A Russian judge even banned gay pride parade that year because it would offend 'public morality.'