USOPC Will Not Sanction Athletes For Peaceful Protest At Games

The Team USA Council on Racial and Social Justice released its first set of recommendations Thursday, requesting to end the prohibition of peaceful demonstrations by team members at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The council had the support of both the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the Athletes’ Advisory Council in making the recommendation, which is “built on the foundation that athletes should have the right to peacefully protest and demonstrate against racial and social injustices and to promote human dignity through global sport”.

The request calls on both the IOC and IPC to update guidelines to allow for peaceful actions that specifically advocate for human rights and racial and social justice, distinguishing them from “divisive demonstrations” that includes prohibited acts such as hate speech, racist propaganda, political statements and discrimination.

The Team USA Council on Racial and Social Justice provided its recommendation to the USOPC, NGBs, IOC and IPC in an effort to show the power and duty athletes have to build a more inclusive world through sport,” said Moushaumi Robinson, 2004 Olympic gold medalist in track and field, AAC leadership member and chair of the Council.

“The Council believes the diversity of Team USA athletes is our strength, and that this recommendation can be a catalyst for change.”

In support of the recommendation, the USOPC will not sanction American athletes for “respectfully demonstrating in support of racial and social justice for all human beings”.

“The USOPC values the voices of Team USA athletes and believes that their right to advocate for racial and social justice, and be a positive force for change, absolutely aligns with the fundamental values of equality that define Team USA and the Olympic and Paralympic movements,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland.

“We thank the athlete-led Council for their thoughtful recommendations and look forward to continued collaboration on this important topic with the Council and the international community.”

Back in late August, the IOC began a consultation process with athletes regarding potential changes to Rule 50, which outlines the opportunities athletes have in regards to expressing views at the Games.

The IOC has continued to request input from several National Olympic Committees on the matter, and its Athlete Commission is expected to share an update in 2021.

“We believe that Team USA athletes, in line with athletes and teams in many other sports and leagues in the United States, can be a leading force for global good, and we are proud to advocate for the advancing opportunities and pathways for respectful athlete expression within our sports community,” said USOPC President Susanne Lyons.

“Supporting this important work on behalf of Team USA athletes is a next step in our ongoing commitment to empowering the voice of athletes and living Olympic and Paralympic values. We look forward to collaborating further with our athletes, friends and partners around the world to fully harness the unifying power of sport.”

17
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

17 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Corn Pop
3 years ago

Whaddabout a,George Floyd Stadium .?

sven
3 years ago

I see no issue with this as long as the contractors doing the bulldozing occasionally post some woke things on social media.

Captain Ahab
3 years ago

Sports and competition at it’s best forms should unite everyone together. Athletes should protest in their own country or don’t compete.

Ferb
3 years ago

Seems like a can of worms to me. Everyone has a different idea what “social justice” means, and everyone has a different idea of what “peaceful protest” means.

sven
Reply to  Ferb
3 years ago

This was exactly my thought. Not inherently good or bad, just a can of worms. Potential for good in that important issues get attention on a world stage.

Potential for bad: Say the IOC agrees with this recommendation and an Armenian athlete gets on the podium and does some kind of anti-Azerbaijan protest, or vice-versa, are we looking at a situation where international tensions flare and various countries aligned with each side of the Artsakh war are pressuring the IOC to issue sanctions, pull medals, etc?

Also, most importantly, there is high potential for cringey demonstrations from athletes who clearly aren’t really invested in an issue but try extremely hard to have their viral woke moment sticking it to The… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by sven
Icanfreezetime
3 years ago

Paraphrasing a CA local, . . . It’s science, not politics?

Ski resorts open, short-term stay at campgrounds prohibited
Private schools open, public schools closed.
Large retailers open, small retailers closed.
Filming crews allowed to dine in tents, small restaurants closed
Walmart open, barber shops and nail salons closed,
Political officers dine at the French Laundry, locals told to stay home.

Gavin is rightfully worried about recall efforts aiming for 1.5M signatures.

Admin
Reply to  Icanfreezetime
3 years ago

This feels like a non-sequitur…

Guerra
3 years ago

I’m surprised these aristocrats are going to allow this. Remember, if you go woke , you will go broke and lose that precious money. I’m sure an upstanding organization like BLM will start donating to the USOPC to recoup the lost money.

Sun Yangs Hammer
Reply to  Guerra
3 years ago

Controversy gets views. Might help the ratings

Guerra
Reply to  Sun Yangs Hammer
3 years ago

I’ll be watching and eating the new Colin Kapernick ice cream. Only in America can you disparage our country and get endorsements. What did Martin Luther King miss?

Corn Pop
Reply to  Guerra
3 years ago

No more ladies?

Breezeway
3 years ago

Smart move

BKP
3 years ago

Since the comments are “closed” for the Sub20 post. What’s going on? I don’t see anything on Speedo’s youtube channel…

bobthebuilderrocks
Reply to  BKP
3 years ago

Same here ^^ I tried checking SpeedoInternational and SpeedoUSA’s Youtube channels.

BKP
Reply to  BKP
3 years ago

Well, come to think of it – the suit is 12+ years old…he may have a “malfunction” 😛

stemesak
Reply to  BKP
3 years ago

Same here… SpeedoUSA was posting like crazy on their insta and all of a sudden nothing…

stemesak
Reply to  BKP
3 years ago

It’s on a new Speedo International channel…. Speedo International Ltd. The link in the Swimswam article brings you to the wrong one…

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

Read More »