Скачать или смотреть Olympic Officials Face Off Over Protest Rules As U S Backs Shot Putter

U. S. Olympic officials are on a possible collision course with the International Olympic Committee Monday after the organization said it did not believe Team USA shot put silver medallist Raven Saunders broke rules against protests on the podium, raising questions over what will happen if American officials—who have stated they will not punish athletes for protesting—are instructed to sanction Saunders. The IOC has not stipulated how athletes breaking its protest rules will be punished. Its rules and views are in conflict with those of the USOPC and the USOPC is required to mete out any punishment, if issued. The USOPC has stated it will not sanction athletes demonstrating at the Tokyo Games. Saunders said she formed the X above her head to represent “the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet.” The silver medallist, who is Black, gay and outspoken about her struggles with her mental health, challenged officials to “try and take this medal.” Saunders said the gesture was a “shout out” to Black people, the LGBTQ community and all people dealing with mental health. “At the end of the day, we understand it’s bigger than us and it’s bigger than the powers that be,” she said. “We understand that there’s so many people that are looking up to us, that are looking to see if we say something or if we speak up for them.”Team USA gymnast Simone Biles, who has withdrawn from several events in Tokyo on mental health grounds, gave her support to Saunders on social media. Biles posted a picture of Saunders with her arms crossed on the podium. “If you are Black, LGBTQIA+ or mentally struggling, this one is for you,” the image said. “Shout out to all my fighters.”The IOC bans protests under Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits “demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda.” It does so to keep the “field of play, the Olympic Village and the podium neutral and free from any form of political, religious or ethnic demonstrations,” in keeping with the message of unity the “Olympic Movement seeks to advance.” The rule is contentious and has not stopped the many Olympic protests over the years. There have been several protests at the 2020 Games already, though none have yet been punished. This includes Costa Rican gymnast Luciana Alvarado, who took a knee and pushed her fist in the air to recognize the Black Lives Matter movement during her routine. The IOC has come under increasing pressure to remove or relax the rule, particularly in the wake of racial justice protests following the killing of George Floyd. U. S. officials are lobbying to have the rule removed before Los Angeles hosts the game in seven years. Raven Saunders' X podium protest: What it means and why the IOC is investigating (CNN)Raven Saunders throws up X on podium to represent where the ‘oppressed meet’ (Guardian)IOC says looking into gesture used by U. S. athlete Saunders on podium (Reuters)Athletes Will Be Banned From Protesting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.


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