Gymnast Simone Biles during the American Championships, July 27, 2018. - Melissa J Perenson / CSM // SIPA

American sportsmen and the iconic John Carlos, excluded from the 1968 Mexico Olympics for raising his fist against racial segregation, called on the IOC to remove the rules prohibiting athletes from expressing their political, religious or racial opinions during the Games.

"Athletes will not be silenced any longer," the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Athletes' Council wrote on Saturday, teaming up with Carlos, who was kicked out of the Olympics after raising his gloved fist in support of Black Power, with his compatriot Tommie Smith, on the 200m podium.

"Carlos and Smith continue to inspire each generation"

“Carlos and Smith have risked everything to defend human rights and their convictions, and they continue to inspire each generation. It is time for the Olympic and Paralympic movements to honor their courage rather than to denounce their actions, "urged the signatories.

"The International Olympic and Paralympic Committees cannot continue to punish or dismiss athletes who speak out in defense of what they believe in, especially when these convictions embody the goals of Olympism," he said.

John Carlos (in the background) with Tommie Smith on the podium of the 200m of the Mexico City Olympics in 1968. - AP / SIPA

As a result, the USOPC calls on sporting bodies to “transparent collaboration” with athletes and groups of athletes. The current rules of the International Olympic Committee prohibit any “political, religious or racial demonstration or propaganda” at the Games.

Two athletes sanctioned at the Pan American Games in Lima

The letter on Saturday was sent in a burning context of protests, in the United States and around the world, against social injustices after the tragic death of George Floyd, a month ago in Minneapolis. On June 9, the USOPC announced that it would challenge the rules prohibiting athletes from demonstrating politically at the Olympics, after hearing testimony from dozens of them and their proposals to combat racism.

But in 2019, hammer thrower Gwen Berry and fencer Race Imboden were still sanctioned by the USOPC after protesting racial injustice at the Pan American Games in Lima.

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