Thursday July 22, 2021
Committee bows to criticism
IOC is now posting knee-fall pictures
As a sign against racism and discrimination, the footballers of Great Britain and Chile go on their knees before their Olympic opening match. The IOC allows the protest, but forbids it on its own social media channels. There is criticism for this – and this leads to a change of heart.
After the IOC has given way, the pictures of kneeling athletes at the Olympics will in future also be shown in short videos on the organizers’ official channels on social media. Because on the first day of the Tokyo competitions the kneeling of five women’s soccer teams was missing in the compilations of the games before their games, the International Olympic Committee had been criticized. “The IOC shows the games on its own and self-operated platforms, and such moments are also included,” said the IOC, apparently changing its practice.
Before the opening game of the women’s soccer Olympic tournament, the players from Great Britain and Chile kneeled down to take a stand against racism. The team of referees also took part in the action in Sapporo on Wednesday. “We want to show everyone that this is serious,” said British defender Demi Stokes before the game. Even before the duel between world champions USA and third place in the World Cup, Sweden (0: 3), all players got on their knees to protest.
FIFA also allows the protest
Citing an insider, the British Guardian reported that the IOC instructed its official social media channels not to post any pictures or videos of the anti-racism mark. Just a few days ago, the IOC lifted the long-standing ban on athlete protests at the Olympic Games and amended rule 50 of the Olympic Charter. However, the relaxation only applies in the competition venues and not for the medal ceremonies. In addition, the umbrella associations of the individual sports were left to make the final decision on whether to allow protests.
The world football association had agreed to this. “FIFA believes in freedom of speech and expression, and that applies to players, coaches, officials and any other person or organization involved in FIFA’s activities,” it said in a recent statement. Most recently there were also some games at the European Championship where the teams showed the gesture inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. In contrast, the world swimming federation FINA has banned all athletes from any political gestures or signs of protest at the pool edge.
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