The backlash against social justice continues in the Olympics. After banning athlete protests and political messages from the Games, the IOC decided to ban “Black Lives Matter” apparel as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So now if an athlete raises their fist, takes a knee or wears anything “BLM” related at Olympic venues, they face punishment. The same goes for coaches, trainers and officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the IOC has had a long maintained policy of banning \u201cdemonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda\u201d on the playing field, the medal stand, or during the Games\u2019 official ceremonies, the explicit mention of “Black Lives Matter” is particularly alarming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The IOC will allow words such as \u201cpeace,\u201d \u201crespect,\u201d \u201csolidarity,\u201d \u201cinclusion\u201d and \u201cequality\u201d on apparel, possibly as a means of taking some of the attention off of their decision to ban BLM messaging. But it really doesn’t feel that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So where did this all originate from? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the IOC, they polled athletes<\/a> and 70% disagreed with protesting during competition, and 67% said it wasn’t appropriate on the medal stand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey (the Olympics) are not and must never be a platform to advance political or any other divisive ends,\u201d said IOC President Thomas Bachs<\/a>. \u201cOur political neutrality is undermined whenever organizations or individuals attempt to use the Olympic Games as a stage for their own agendas, as legitimate as they may be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bach quoted the aforementioned Rule 50 and Rule 40 as support for the decision. The former prohibits any \u201cdemonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda\u201d in Olympic areas. The latter prohibits an athlete\u2019s ability to promote his\/her own sponsors during a time in which they receive a large amount of attention.<\/p>