Tokyo Olympics News: Athletes Prohibited To Kneel, Raise Fist In Summer Games

No athlete should be seen kneeling or raising a fist at any time this summer in Tokyo, the International Olympic Committee ordered. The guidelines for this year’s Summer Games were released Thursday by the IOC and it is evident that the board wants to leave politics out of the picture.

“It is a fundamental principle that sport is neutral and must be separate from political, religious or any other type of interference,” a file with the set guidelines stated. “Specifically, the focus for the field of play and related ceremonies must be on celebrating athletes’ performance and showcasing sport and its values.”

The challenge, according to the athletic commission, is to put into an equilibrium the desires of some athletes to voice out their standpoint on certain social issues without “sparking diplomatic incidents.”

"The unique nature of the Olympic Games enables athletes from all over the world to come together in peace and harmony," the guidelines continued.

"We believe that the example we set by competing with the world’s best while living in harmony in the Olympic Village is a uniquely positive message to send to an increasingly divided world."

"This is why it is important, on both a personal and a global level, that we keep the venues, the Olympic Village and the podium neutral and free from any form of political, religious or ethnic demonstrations."

As reported by TMZ Sports, the following are the detailed scope of “protest” as laid down by the IOC:

• Displaying any political messaging, including signs or armbands
• Gestures of a political nature, like a hand gesture or kneeling
• Refusal to follow the Ceremonies protocol.

In response, the athletes rued the ambiguity of the guidelines where the sanction for the specified violations is not clearly conveyed.

“We needed clarity and they wanted clarity on the rules,” said the I.O.C. Athletes’ Commission chairwoman Kirsty Coventry. “The majority of athletes feel it is very important that we respect each other as athletes.”