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The International Olympic Committee gets it. People don’t want social justice nonsense in sports, and the IOC won’t tolerate displays like “Black Lives Matter” at the Summer Games in Tokyo beginning July 23.
Spoiled American athletes accustomed to prattling on about BLM and police brutality must adapt to performing in the social justice-free zone of the Olympics. Or pay the consequences.
The IOC affirmed it will enforce Rule 50, which bans political and social justice protests of any kind. Any defiance will be met with case-by-base repercussions.
The Associated Press reported that the IOC specifically banned apparel with the words “Black Lives Matter.” This phrase practically became the NBA’s brand in 2020. The AP reported:
Athletes who wear Black Lives Matter apparel at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will face repercussions.
Last month, The International Olympic Committee said athletes are not permitted to protest due to the committee’s stance against “demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda.” Adding to this rule, the committee announced that BLM apparel will be banned. There will be no international fans at the summer games in Tokyo.
“The IOC is very concerned about the risk of politicisation of the athletes and the risk that athletes may be put under external pressure,” the group said in April. “It is important to protect athletes from the potential consequences of being placed in a position where they may be forced to take a public position on a particular domestic or international issue, regardless of their beliefs.”
AP: Olympics ban apparel with slogans like âBlack Lives Matterâ, could punish athletes for political demonstrations The IOC also said that slogans such as âBlack Lives Matterâ will not be allowed on athlete apparel at Olympic venues, though it approved using the words âpeace,â ârespect,â âsolidarity,â âinclusionâ and âequalityâ on T-shirts. (Source: Branden Walker) By Associated Press and Andrew Barnett | May 4, 2021 at 5:42 PM EDT - Updated May 24 at 11:18 AM
(AP/WBTV) - The IOC says athlete protests and political messages will remain banned at the Olympics after a survey found that a majority of competitors were in favor of keeping the ban in place.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) this week reaffirmed a contentious rule that bans athletes from engaging in political speech or silent acts of protest, specifically stating that the phrase “Black Lives Matter” would be banned at this year’s games in Tokyo, Japan.
Taking a knee or lifting a fist in support of racial equality during the games would not be allowed, the IOC said. Athletes would also be barred from wearing shirts or other apparel with the phrase “Black Lives Matter” on them.
Details were scant on how protests or political actions may be punished, but athletes competing in the Olympics can face punishment from one or more of three separate bodies: the IOC itself, the governing body of their specific sport, and their home country’s Olympic committee.