Yesterday, Wednesday, the International Olympic Committee banned athletes from kneeling in solidarity with the “Black Lives Matter” movement during the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
US officials suggested lifting the ban on political expression during the Olympics to support the “Black Lives Matter” movement against racism, but the International Olympic Committee rejected this, according to Reuters.
The International Olympic Committee has decided to ban protests by athletes inside stadiums, ceremonies and on podiums, and will be punished for kneeling during the Tokyo Olympics or raising a fist in support of racial equality.
Rule “50” of the International Olympic Committee bans any kind of political, religious or ethnic propaganda for athletes in any Olympic region, and the Games Authority concluded that the rule should be preserved after consulting the athletes.
The IOC recommendations came as a result of a consultation process that began in June 2020 with more than 3,500 athletes participating.
About 70% of these athletes voted against the protests at podiums, competition grounds and stadiums.
It is noteworthy that the Tokyo Summer Olympics was postponed from last year due to the Corona virus pandemic, and it will be held from July 23 until August 8 next, in the capital, Tokyo.