AFP, Tokyo :
Athletes at Tokyo 2020 will be allowed to “express their views” before and after competing — but not on the podium — after Olympics chiefs relaxed some of the rules for protests at the event.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) released new guidelines Friday softening a long-standing ban on political protests at the Games.
It means athletes will now be allowed to take the knee before play begins to highlight racial injustice, speak to the media and post online about their views, or wear clothing with a protest slogan at a press conference.
But political statements during events, victory ceremonies and at the Olympic Village are still off the cards, the IOC said.
Protests must not be “targeted, directly or indirectly, against people, countries, organisations and/or their dignity”, the sporting body said in a statement.
They also cannot be “disruptive” to other competitors, such as unfurling a flag as a team is being introduced.
“The new guidelines are a result of our extensive consultation with the global athletes’ community,” Kirsty Coventry, chair of the IOC’s athletes commission, said in a statement.
