For this raised fist, Tommie Smith and John Carlos were excluded for life from the Olympic Games.

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AP / SIPA

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) will not sanction American athletes who “respectfully” protest against racism during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The right of athletes to defend racial and social justice "absolutely aligns with the core values ​​of equality that define the United States team and the Olympic and Paralympic movements," USOPC CEO said Thursday. , Sarah Hirshland.

“We are convinced that the athletes of Team USA (…), can be a leading force for the collective good, and we are proud to advocate in favor (…) of ways of expression respectful of the athletes within our sports community, ”said committee chair Susanne Lyons.

Team USA Council on Racial and Social Justice releases first set of recommendations, asks for rule change allowing athletes to peacefully protest and demonstrate without sanctions during Olympic and Paralympic Games.



>> https://t.co/9gU11BFHoW

- USOPC News (@USOPC_News) December 10, 2020

The IOC could soften its position

The USOPC has called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee to update their guidelines to allow "peaceful actions that specifically defend human rights and racial and social justice", while distinguishing them from "protests. aimed at dividing ”and“ hate speech ”.

The IOC updated its rules on athlete activism in January, banning all forms of protest from podiums and athletic fields.

But the body suggested it was ready to soften its stance, and supports discussions by the Olympic Athletes' Commission to authorize “dignified” ways to support action against racism.

The example of Mexico 1968

In June, American athletes and 1968 Mexico City Games icon John Carlos, excluded at the time for raising his fist against racial segregation, called on the IOC to remove the rules banning athletes from manifesting their political opinions, religious or racial during the Games.

At the beginning of October, it was the president of the International Athletics Federation, Sebastien Coe, who had estimated that the participants in the Olympics should have the right to protest in a “respectful” manner.

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  • Racism

  • CIO

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  • Olympic Games