The International Olympic Committee (IOC) just implemented an oppressive policy to silence the free expression of Black athletes during the Summer Olympics.

 

STAND WITH BLACK ATHLETES! 

Demand the International Olympic Committee drops its ban on political protest!

Take Action

 

John,

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) just implemented an oppressive policy to silence the free expression of Black athletes during the Summer Olympics.1 The policy bans athletes from kneeling, raising their fists, or wearing signs or symbolic armbands. At a time of heightened political awareness and the threat of a world war, athletes who take a stand for justice are being told to “shut up and play.”

There is no real peace in the absence of justice and there is no victory when individuals are silenced.

The policy is extremely problematic because as we know, “taking a knee” and “raising fists” are directly associated with justice for Black people. And with no clearly defined consequences in the policy, the IOC has the power to come up with arbitrary punishments that can be implemented differently for individual athletes. The IOC’s policy is a direct attack on athlete activists like gold medalist Gwen Berry who boldly raised her fist in protest last year.2

It’s time for corporate sponsors as well as the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to stand for the rights of athletes.

Demand that the USOPC and corporate sponsors of the Tokyo Olympics tell the IOC to drop this oppressive anti-protest policy.

The historical purpose of the Olympics was to bring humanity together not only to celebrate athletic excellence, but also to “to build up a strong and more valiant and, above all, more scrupulous and more generous humanity”.3 Setting limits on political speech and censoring marginalized voices and populations - who are often denied access to global stages - actually cuts against the stated intention behind having the Olympics.

Black athletes and activism are inextricably linked. Since racial integration in sports began, Black athletes have been celebrated as representatives for their cities, states, and countries, while at the same time bearing witness to the horrific treatment of their people. In the Olympics specifically, these world-class athletes receive tiny stipends while generating billions of dollars for the IOC.4 Black athletes have earned the right to elevate their causes on the winners’ platform and express their pride in winning. In 1959, High jumper Rose Robinson paved the way when she sat down during the national anthem at the Pan American Games in protest of the war, injustice, and hypocrisy.5 The world will never forget the 1968 photo of John Carlos and Tommie Smith raising their fists after winning the 200 meter-dash. Just last year, after decades of being shut out from the Olympics, these men were inducted into the USOPC Hall of Fame for their historic protest.6

Following in their footsteps, two gold medalists at last year’s Pan American Games - Gwen Berry and Race Imboden - continued the legacy of athlete activism by protesting during the national anthem of their medal ceremonies.7 And now, the IOC has created this oppressive policy, clearly in retaliation, while stating that the mission of the Olympic Games is to bring the entire world together and facilitate the understanding of different views. 

The sponsors of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics include several American corporations whose company values are not aligned with silencing the free expression of Black athletes. We must demand they speak out!

Many of the corporate sponsors are industry leaders which have company missions and values that are in direct contrast with silencing free expression. We will not allow them to be complicit as the IOC attempts to control Olympic athletes. Additionally, the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee - a congressionally chartered non-profit organization - has a legal obligation to defend the right of Black athletes to protest. With the Olympics a few months away, we need to put as much pressure as possible on these companies and the USOPC to stand with athletes. 

Demand that Olympic Sponsors and the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee affirm their support for freedom of speech!

Until justice is real,

Brandi, Rashad, Arisha, Johnny, Amanda, Evan, Future, Eesha, Samantha, Marcus, FolaSade, Jennette, Ciera, and the rest of the Color Of Change team

References:

  1. “IOC makes it clear: Kneeling, raised fists, other protests not allowed at 2020 Olympics,” Yahoo Sports, January 9, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/226242?t=7&akid=40358%2E4731121%2E8hV4RS.
  2. “Gwen Berry, U.S. Olympian who raised fist, on IOC's protest policy: 'We shouldn't be silenced. It's a form of control,'” Yahoo Sports, January 9, 2020,https://act.colorofchange.org/go/226243?t=9&akid=40358%2E4731121%2E8hV4RS.
  3. “Why you might not see any athletes protest at this summer’s Olympics”, Vox, January 9, 2020,
    https://act.colorofchange.org/go/226250?t=11&akid=40358%2E4731121%2E8hV4RS
  4. “Olympic executives cash in on a ‘Movement’ that keeps athletes poor,” The Washington Post, July 30, 2016, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/226244?t=13&akid=40358%2E4731121%2E8hV4RS.
  5. “Sixty Years Ago She Refused to Stand for the Anthem,” Zora, September 26, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/226239?t=15&akid=40358%2E4731121%2E8hV4RS.
  6. “Opinion: 'We were wrong,' as USOPC finally do right by Tommie Smith, John Carlos”, USA Today, September 23, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/226254?t=17&akid=40358%2E4731121%2E8hV4RS
  7. “US gold medalists at Pan American Games face sanctions over anti-Trump podium protests,” Yahoo Sports, August 11, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/226245?t=19&akid=40358%2E4731121%2E8hV4RS.

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