The British national football team, who will participate in the Tokyo Olympics, has decided to kneel on one knee before the match to express protest against racial discrimination.
This was announced on the homepage of the Football Association of England on the 15th.
The Olympic Charter prohibits demonstrations and publicity activities related to politics, religion, and race at competition venues, and at the 1968 Mexico tournament, American athletes who raised their fists on the podium in protest against black discrimination were expelled from the tournament. There is an example.
However, at the Tokyo Games, it was decided that part of this would be eased, and in response to this, the British national football team decided to protest against racial discrimination with one knee on the ground before the match.
The British coach said, "The players have been kneeling in international matches for over a year. Everyone is in agreement with the decision to do whatever they can to raise awareness of discrimination. That is a symbol of peaceful protests against discrimination, injustice and inequality in society. "
The British national team will face Chile on July 21st and Japan's Nadeshiko Japan on July 24th at the Sapporo Dome in the qualifying league of the Tokyo Games.
In addition, the USOPC = American Olympic and Paralympic Committee has also indicated that even if American athletes protest against racial discrimination and social justice from the Tokyo Games, sanctions will not be imposed if it is peaceful. ..
Repeated dialogue with players Partial relaxation of regulations
In July, the IOC = International Olympic Committee decided to partially relax the provisions of the Olympic Charter at the Tokyo Games.
This was decided by the IOC Executive Board in response to a proposal from the IOC Athletes Committee, which had held dialogues with athletes from each country and region, that "mitigation is necessary."
As a result, athletes will be able to participate in pre-match competition venues and pre-match player introductions, in addition to the "mixed zone" where press conferences and post-match interviews are held during the tournament, which has been allowed so far, and on social media. It has become possible to carry out promotional activities, including actions that show the intention to protest against racism.
However, it is still strictly prohibited to take any action while the national anthem is being played or to introduce players or teams from other countries or regions, or to interfere with players who are concentrating on the competition or preparing for the game. It has been.