The media company The Uninterrupted, started by basketball star and activist blowhard LeBron James, slammed the Olympics ban on any political protests on the medal stand.
“Rule 50 is a rule in the Olympic Charter that bans any kind of demonstration and prohibits any opinionated political, religious or racial propaganda at the Olympic site in 2021,” a Twitter message from the group says. “The only time an athlete is able to speak freely is at press conferences and to the media, but not on the Olympic podium when the world is watching.
“Simply put, we see this as a way of silencing voices, and as advocates for Athlete empowerment, we take a stand against it,” the group adds. “Sport is not neutral. When athletes speak up – whether from a stadium, gymnasium, or track – they start conversations and things change. Give athletes the chance to show up fully and to make change.”
The IOC ruled that protests must meet the “Fundamental Principles of Olympism”: “When expressing their views, athletes are expected to respect the applicable laws, the Olympic values, and their fellow athletes. It should be recognized that any behavior and/or expression that constitutes or signals discrimination, hatred, hostility, or the potential for violence on any basis whatsoever is contrary to the Fundamental Principles of Olympism,” the IOC ruled.