Canadian athletes are asking the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to clarify and define the certain aspects of their anti-protest rule.
In a statement on Monday, Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission (COC AC), have put forward seven recommendations to the IOC’s Rule 50, which states that “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
Earlier this year, the IOC developed Rule 50, which specifies which types of protests athletes would be able to partake in during the Olympics, in order to provide a framework to “protect the neutrality of sport and the Olympic Games.”
As part of the COC AC’s seven recommendations, Canadian athletes asked that the IOC clearly define what constitutes a demonstration, protest of propaganda, as well as establish parameters for what is viewed as an acceptable demonstration that is peaceful and respectful of other athletes and countries.
They also asked that the IOC maintain or create neutral spaces that allow for peaceful demonstrations that do not interfere with the competition.
According to the IOC’s Rule 50, athletes are prohibited from taking a political stand in the field of play, in the Olympic village, or any official or medal ceremonies so no taking a knee, or no raised fists.
The only place athletes would be able to protest is during press conferences, at team meetings, or on digital media.
“We will continue to work closely with the IOC Athletes’ Commission and encourage all Canadian athletes to participate in their global survey launching this fall,” Smith added.
The COC AC also recommended that the IOC clearly define and outline the consequences, and degrees of violations around demonstrations, protests and propaganda. The IOC’s Rule 50 currently only says that disciplinary action will be taken on a case by case basis.
Two-time Olympic champion in trampoline and COC AC Vice-Chair, Rosie MacLennan, said that a wide range of feedback was solicited from as many stakeholders as possible to balance the varying viewpoints and communicatie the majority perspective as well as highlight where Canadian athletes did not have strong collective perspectives.
The COC AC’s seven recommendations to the IOC are listed below :
- Establish two separate rules when expressing views: One regarding expressions through commercial matters such as emblems, advertising and commercial installations and the other regarding Demonstrations, Protests and Propaganda.
- Clearly define the terms used within Rule 50 including what constitutes a Demonstration or “Protest” or “Propaganda.”
- Establish provisions for what is viewed as an acceptable Demonstration based on the values and principles of Olympism.
- Establish clear parameters for an acceptable Demonstration that is peaceful and respectful of other athletes and countries.
- Maintain and/or establish neutral or protected spaces that allow for a peaceful Demonstration that do not interfere with competition.
- Clearly define and outline the consequences and the “degrees of violation” around Demonstration, Protest and Propaganda.
- Explore other opportunities to meaningfully celebrate unity and inclusion by taking a stand against racism and discrimination.
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