Story at a glance
- The International Olympic Committee and Tokyo 2020 organizers reversed a reported mandate prohibiting their social media teams from posting images of racial justice demonstrations.
- The Guardian reported Thursday that, despite several teams kneeling before competition, official social media channels appeared to exclude those images from their posts.
- The IOC relaxed its stance on athlete protest in July with Rule 50.2, which allows athletes to peacefully protest in a variety of venues.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo 2020 organizers reversed a reported mandate prohibiting their social media teams from featuring posts showing athletes engaging in racial justice demonstrations.
The Guardian reported Thursday that, despite several teams kneeling before competition, official social media channels appeared to exclude the images from their posts. But on Friday, the Olympics Twitter page posted a photo of Great Britain soccer player Lucy Bronze kneeling before a match against Chile. Both teams took a knee.
“Sports started yesterday. Just some of the highlights: Japan starting strong in softball. Teams were kneeling before the competition,” the post’s caption read.
READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA
UN CALLS FOR US, OTHERS TO END ‘IMPUNITY’ FOR POLICE VIOLENCE AGAINST BLACK PEOPLE
RACIAL CONTROVERSY ERUPTS AROUND ROYALS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE
PRINCIPAL ESCORTED OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AFTER DELIVERING FIERY SPEECH
NY TIMES ESTIMATES WEALTHY AMERICANS ARE REFUSING TO PAY $1.4T IN UNCOLLECTED TAXES
THE SUPREME COURT COULD DEAL A MAJOR BLOW TO MINORITY VOTERS
When asked about protests on Wednesday, IOC President Thomas Bach said “it is allowed,” saying “it is no violation of Rule 50. That is expressively what is allowed in these guidelines.”
The IOC relaxed its stance on athlete protest in July with Rule 50.2, which allows athletes to peacefully protest in a variety of Olympic venues, including the field of play. Previously, rule 50 prohibited athletes from protesting, saying “no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.
The IOC upheld rule 50 after consultation of more than 3,500 athletes found 70 percent of the athletes opposed protests at Olympic venues. At the time, athletes who defied rule 50 would be subject to punishment.
But protests, under the updated rule, will remain strictly prohibited in the Olympic Village and during opening and closing ceremonies. Opening ceremonies at the Tokyo Olympics will take place July 23.
READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA
GEORGE FLOYD MURAL REPORTEDLY DESTROYED BY LIGHTNING BOLT
FAMILIES SUE AFTER THEME PARK CHARACTER FLASHES WHITE SUPREMACIST SIGN IN PICTURES
IN HISTORIC MOVE, JAMAICA WILL DEMAND REPARATIONS FROM BRITAIN OVER SLAVERY
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS REENACT GEORGE FLOYD’S MURDER WITH BLACKFACE, PRINCIPAL RESIGNS
IN BOMBSHELL INTERVIEW, OBAMA SAYS SOME MEDIA ‘STOKING THE FEAR AND RESENTMENT’ OF WHITE AMERICA
changing america copyright.
