Tokyo 2020: IOC relaxes protest rules for Olympics

Rules around athletes protesting at Tokyo 2020 have been relaxed by the International Olympic Committee.

BBC reports athletes will now be able to "express their views" before and after competing but cannot do so during events, victory ceremonies and at the Olympic Village.

Any gesture cannot be "targeted, directly or indirectly, against people, countries, organisations and/or their dignity".

It means athletes can take the knee before an event and they can also "express their views" when speaking to the media, during news conferences and on social media.

However, any protest is not allowed to be "disruptive", including unfurling a flag or banner during "the introduction of another athlete or team".

The Chair of the IOC's Athletes Commission Kirsty Coventry says the new guidelines are a result of their extensive consultation with the global athletes' community.

She says while the guidelines offer new opportunities for athletes to express themselves before the competition, they preserve the competitions on the field of play, the ceremonies, the victory ceremonies and the Olympic Village.

The IOC said the consultation process "started in June 2020 and involved over 3,500 athletes representing 185 different NOCs (National Olympic Committees) and all 41 Olympic sports, and ensured fully gender-equal representation".

[Source: BBC]