Athletes Are Banned From Wearing BLM Clothing At Olympics

[The Opinions Guy]

"The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reaffirmed its decision to ban any sort of political, social or ideological protest at the upcoming Tokyo Games. That means taking a knee, raising a fist or wearing apparel that says Black Lives Matter will not be permitted and athletes will face punishments if they break the rules. Athletes in loads of different sports around the world have been donning the BLM phrase on t-shirts, armbands and other pieces of clothing before, during or after matches and games. Some, particularly in America, have also been taking a knee during the national anthem to protest against police brutality."

Source: https://www.sportbible.com/australia/news-athletes-banned-from-wearing-black-lives-matter-clothing-at-olympics-20210505

Now time for my biased opinion: Really? I feel like the IOC is just trying to enflame people or bring attention to the Olympics, cause this is stupid. They SPECIFICALLY state that BLM clothing and symbols are banned, then try to justify it by referencing some long-forgotten rule that hasn't been used in decades. What say you, NSG?

[The Axis of Death]

The IOC is an unelected, corrupt group of elites. They can do whatever the hell they feel like with no repercussions. This is incredibly stupid.

[Infected Mushroom]

This is a step in the right direction. There shouldn’t be any protests at the Olympics. The Olympics are about promoting international cooperation, sporting excellence, sportsmanship, and nationalism. It’s not really an appropriate venue to politicize and disrupt.

A BLM protest in Tokyo also wouldn’t make sense. The issues are in the USA, not Japan. If you’re willing to try and ruin/disrupt the games for millions of international viewers and athletes, it doesn’t reflect well on the movement.

[Nakena]

I wondered when this would come up, but so far the sauce has been sparse.

I should add the IOC has an extremly restrictive policy regarding those matters. They make sure as hell no athlete wears insignia or brands that has been approved before by them.

[The Axis of Death]

This is a step in the right direction. There shouldn’t be any protests at the Olympics. The Olympics are about promoting international cooperation, sporting excellence, sportsmanship, and nationalism. It’s not really an appropriate venue to politicize and disrupt.

"International cooperation" does not justify suppression of free speech.

A BLM protest in Tokyo also wouldn’t make sense. The issues are in the USA, not Japan. If you’re willing to try and ruin/disrupt the games for millions of international viewers and athletes, it doesn’t reflect well on the movement.

They banned all political protest, not just BLM protesting. Also, just because the protest happened in a place that wasn't the US doesn't mean it won't be seen by Americans. And I don't see how advocating for equality would "ruin" the games.

[Latorik]

Can OP change the thread title to better represent the situation?

afaik it seems to be everything with political connations rather than targeted directly at BLM

ooooh nvm reread, seems they mentioned the BLM movement specifically

[New Antarcticania]

The move upholds the Olympics' Rule 50, which addresses the 'demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda' on the playing field, at the medal stand or during the Games' official ceremonies.

[The Saucer Pilots]

I'm no psychic, but I predict somebody will do a remake of that photo from the 1968 Mexico Olympics regardless of the penalizations. Call it a hunch. Rule 50 didn't stop Smith or Carlos.

[Great Algerstonia]

This is a step in the right direction. There shouldn’t be any protests at the Olympics. The Olympics are about promoting international cooperation, sporting excellence, sportsmanship, and nationalism. It’s not really an appropriate venue to politicize and disrupt.

"International cooperation" does not justify suppression of free speech.

A BLM protest in Tokyo also wouldn’t make sense. The issues are in the USA, not Japan. If you’re willing to try and ruin/disrupt the games for millions of international viewers and athletes, it doesn’t reflect well on the movement.

They banned all political protest, not just BLM protesting. Also, just because the protest happened in a place that wasn't the US doesn't mean it won't be seen by Americans. And I don't see how advocating for equality would "ruin" the games.

Because then the DPRK would declare reunification and start a shitshow. Israeli-Middle East games would devolve into fistfights. There would be shouting matches between pro and anti-EU fans. It's literal precedent to ban all political symbols and speeches at the Olympics, and it's because it's for entertainment, not politics. Olympics banning BLM symbolism is nothing new nor unordinary.

[Japan and Pacific States]

The IOC is an unelected, corrupt group of elites. They can do whatever the hell they feel like with no repercussions. This is incredibly stupid.

They're still a private entity. They can do whatever they want(Sound familiar?). It's a sports event, not a political gathering, if someone wants to go hold a political rally they can do it on their own time.

[Idzequitch]

While I agree that the Olympics is not the place for political statements, the error here is assuming that the idea of black lives mattering is a political one. Black individuals are not a policy up for debate. They are people, and valued participants in the Olympic Games. While political avenues are being taken to try to ensure the fair treatment of black people, the issue is not, at its base, a political one. It's a humanitarian issue, and one that holds far more inportance than any of the games at the Olympics. There comes a time when we must stop worrying about avoiding controversy, and just try to be decent human beings. This is one of those times.

[Adamede]

I don’t think the olympics allows any form of political apparel.

[Great Algerstonia]

While I agree that the Olympics is not the place for political statements, the error here is assuming that the idea of black lives mattering is a political one. Black individuals are not a policy up for debate. They are people, and valued participants in the Olympic Games. While political avenues are being taken to try to ensure the fair treatment of black people, the issue is not, at its base, a political one. It's a humanitarian issue, and one that holds far more inportance than any of the games at the Olympics. There comes a time when we must stop worrying about avoiding controversy, and just try to be decent human beings. This is one of those times.

Black lives matter and the Olympics already know it, and the Olympics doesn't need to have American social movements broadcasted into it. Politics/social in sports always becomes a mess.

[The Lone Alliance]

While I agree that the Olympics is not the place for political statements, the error here is assuming that the idea of black lives mattering is a political one. Black individuals are not a policy up for debate. They are people, and valued participants in the Olympic Games. While political avenues are being taken to try to ensure the fair treatment of black people, the issue is not, at its base, a political one. It's a humanitarian issue, and one that holds far more inportance than any of the games at the Olympics. There comes a time when we must stop worrying about avoiding controversy, and just try to be decent human beings. This is one of those times.

Black lives matter and the Olympics already know it, and the Olympics doesn't need to have American social movements broadcasted into it. Politics/social in sports always becomes a mess.

Furthermore which Black Lives? Because there's a whole lot of Black Lives in Africa suffering under worse conditions than the US, and for them Black Lives Matter is a first world problem.

The police in the US might be bad but they aren't sending kill teams to the ghettos to round up every black Male to conscript them into the police force while kidnapping their children to raise them up to be part of the SWAT team.

Sometimes Americans need to realize that their problems aren't the center of the world.

[American Pere Housh]

"The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reaffirmed its decision to ban any sort of political, social or ideological protest at the upcoming Tokyo Games. That means taking a knee, raising a fist or wearing apparel that says Black Lives Matter will not be permitted and athletes will face punishments if they break the rules. Athletes in loads of different sports around the world have been donning the BLM phrase on t-shirts, armbands and other pieces of clothing before, during or after matches and games. Some, particularly in America, have also been taking a knee during the national anthem to protest against police brutality."

Source: https://www.sportbible.com/australia/news-athletes-banned-from-wearing-black-lives-matter-clothing-at-olympics-20210505

Now time for my biased opinion: Really? I feel like the IOC is just trying to enflame people or bring attention to the Olympics, cause this is stupid. They SPECIFICALLY state that BLM clothing and symbols are banned, then try to justify it by referencing some long-forgotten rule that hasn't been used in decades. What say you, NSG?

The IOC did the right thing as BLM Inc. are nothing but terrorists.

[The Reformed American Republic]

"International cooperation" does not justify suppression of free speech.

They banned all political protest, not just BLM protesting. Also, just because the protest happened in a place that wasn't the US doesn't mean it won't be seen by Americans. And I don't see how advocating for equality would "ruin" the games.

Because then the DPRK would declare reunification and start a shitshow. Israeli-Middle East games would devolve into fistfights. There would be shouting matches between pro and anti-EU fans. It's literal precedent to ban all political symbols and speeches at the Olympics, and it's because it's for entertainment, not politics. Olympics banning BLM symbolism is nothing new nor unordinary.

This.

[Lady Victory]

Black lives matter and the Olympics already know it, and the Olympics doesn't need to have American social movements broadcasted into it. Politics/social in sports always becomes a mess.

Furthermore which Black Lives? Because there's a whole lot of Black Lives in Africa suffering under worse conditions than the US, and for them Black Lives Matter is a first world problem.

The police in the US might be bad but they aren't sending kill teams to the ghettos to round up every black Male to conscript them into the police force while kidnapping their children to raise them up to be part of the SWAT team.

Sometimes Americans need to realize that their problems aren't the center of the world.

Oh boy, is this the "other people have it worse, so shut up you crybabies" take?

Lemme get the popcorn...

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

Wow, who would have guessed that the Olympics, notorious for worker abuse to build massive stadiums that only get used once then rot away, do not care about human rights. Or freedom of speach.

[Mountains and Volcanoes]

Furthermore which Black Lives? Because there's a whole lot of Black Lives in Africa suffering under worse conditions than the US, and for them Black Lives Matter is a first world problem.

The police in the US might be bad but they aren't sending kill teams to the ghettos to round up every black Male to conscript them into the police force while kidnapping their children to raise them up to be part of the SWAT team.

Sometimes Americans need to realize that their problems aren't the center of the world.

Oh boy, is this the "other people have it worse, so shut up you crybabies" take?

Lemme get the popcorn...

Guess to you the lives of First World are more precious than... eating popcorn

[503]

Though I oppose how they've targeted one group specifically, I generally support removing political statements from the Olympics, especially given both of the next games (Tokyo and Beijing) have their opponents. Regardless of what happens in geopolitics, we can agree that the Olympics should emphasise unity and good cooperation, not squabbling and hypocritical finger pointing. I hope everyone can come together and create pleasant memories for Tokyo 2021 and Beijing 2022.

[Mountains and Volcanoes]

"The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reaffirmed its decision to ban any sort of political, social or ideological protest at the upcoming Tokyo Games. That means taking a knee, raising a fist or wearing apparel that says Black Lives Matter will not be permitted and athletes will face punishments if they break the rules. Athletes in loads of different sports around the world have been donning the BLM phrase on t-shirts, armbands and other pieces of clothing before, during or after matches and games. Some, particularly in America, have also been taking a knee during the national anthem to protest against police brutality."

Source: https://www.sportbible.com/australia/news-athletes-banned-from-wearing-black-lives-matter-clothing-at-olympics-20210505

Now time for my biased opinion: Really? I feel like the IOC is just trying to enflame people or bring attention to the Olympics, cause this is stupid. They SPECIFICALLY state that BLM clothing and symbols are banned, then try to justify it by referencing some long-forgotten rule that hasn't been used in decades. What say you, NSG?

Good on them for setting the prescient now... (or least the host country) still doesn’t make them hypocrites for letting it slide in the past... which was and is incredibly stupid!

[Reploid Productions]

The IOC did the right thing as BLM Inc. are nothing but terrorists.

*** American Pere Housh, 1-day ban for trolling. *** You can find ways to argue against the BLM movement without the nasty sweeping generalizations about its supporters.

[Senkaku]

I mean, they must realize this just throws down a gauntlet to athletes who otherwise might not have done anything. Or I guess not, since they went ahead and did it...

[Mountains and Volcanoes]

"International cooperation" does not justify suppression of free speech.

They banned all political protest, not just BLM protesting. Also, just because the protest happened in a place that wasn't the US doesn't mean it won't be seen by Americans. And I don't see how advocating for equality would "ruin" the games.

Because then the DPRK would declare reunification and start a shitshow. Israeli-Middle East games would devolve into fistfights. There would be shouting matches between pro and anti-EU fans. It's literal precedent to ban all political symbols and speeches at the Olympics, and it's because it's for entertainment, not politics. Olympics banning BLM symbolism is nothing new nor unordinary.

Let’s not forget the disaster of Black September!

[Drew Durrnil]

I don't like it, but it makes sense.