The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee will no longer punish athletes who participate in social justice protests.
The group announced on Thursday that “athletes will not be sanctioned by the USOPC for peacefully and respectfully demonstrating in support of racial and social justice for all human beings. … It is critical to state unequivocally that human rights are not political, and peaceful calls for equity and equality must not be confused with divisive demonstrations.”
The statement from USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland continued: “The USOPC’s decision recognizes that Team USA athletes serve as a beacon of inspiration and unity globally, and their voices have and will be a force for good and progress in our society. In the United States, we need to continue to use the platforms we have available to us to foster discussion, education and action for racial and social justice.”
The Olympic Charter’s Rule 50 prohibits athletes from taking a political stand in the field of play. However, that has not always stopped athletes from doing so. American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos were sent home after they raised their fists protesting racism while standing on the medals podium at the 1968 Mexico City Games.
Hirshland’s statement, which comes ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games set for next year, noted that the USOPC will “continue to work with” the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee as they consider amendments to the rule.
The decision by the USOPC not to punish its athletes was made following a handful of recommendations from a USOPC athlete group in response to the set of guidelines issued nearly a year ago that said no “demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
“Prohibiting athletes to freely express their views during the Games, particularly those from historically underrepresented and minoritized groups, contributes to the dehumanization of athletes that is at odds with key Olympic and Paralympic values,” the athletes’ statement said, according to the Associated Press.
The report noted that the IOC has largely left sanctions against athletes who run afoul of the rule to be dealt by their national federation, and it remains to be seen if the IOC will seek another way to mete out punishment for any offenders while the rule still stands.
Racial justice protests in sports have gained more notoriety over the last half decade, starting with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who knelt during the national anthem. He said he was doing so to raise awareness about police brutality and systemic racism. The controversy erupted, and Kaepernick found himself out of the NFL. Other players kept the tradition alive, drawing criticism over the years by the likes of President Trump.
Those demonstrations largely subsided until the more recent social justice push occurred in 2020, following the high-profile deaths of black people, including George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.
