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US Olympics Committee Sets Rules for Protests at US Olympic Trials

Reuters

   Athletes competing in the U.S. Olympic trials can protest, the United
   States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) said Tuesday, including
   kneeling or raising a clenched fist on the podium or at the start line
   during the national anthem.

   In a detailed document, the USOPC outlined a wide range of ways
   athletes can advocate for racial and social justice but drew the line
   at what will be unacceptable, including wearing a hat or face mask with
   a hate symbol or hate speech on it.

   In an open letter sent to Team USA athletes, USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland
   said the organization "values the voices of athletes and believes that
   their right to advocate for racial and social justice as a positive
   force for change aligns with the fundamental values of equality that
   define Team USA and the Olympic and Paralympic movements."
   FILE - United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah
   Hirshland listens during a briefing with the U.S. Olympic and
   Paralympic Committee and Los Angeles 2028 organizers in Beverly Hills,
   Calif., Feb. 18, 2020.

   The USOPC made it clear that the guidelines are only meant for the U.S.
   Olympic trials and not the Tokyo Olympics, which are scheduled to open
   on July 23.

   The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has its own guidelines with
   Rule 50 prohibiting protests and demonstrations.

   The USOPC said guidance for the Tokyo Games will be published
   separately in the coming months once the IOC issues its updated
   policies.

   Current IOC rules say, "No kind of demonstration or political,
   religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites,
   venues or other areas."

   The relaxing of rules is an about face for the USOPC which sanctioned
   two athletes for protesting police brutality and racial injustice
   during medal presentations at the 2019 Pan Am Games in Lima.

   Fencer Race Imboden knelt during the national anthem while hammer
   thrower Gwen Berry raised her fist. The USOPC later placed both
   athletes on 12-month probations.

   Under new guidelines, these demonstrations will be acceptable.

   Athletes will also be allowed to wear a hat or mask with messages such
   as "Black Lives Matter" or "equality" or "justice" and use their voices
   outside trials venues in other forums such as social media and the
   press.