Olympic chief Thomas Bach expressed on Wednesday that he is not drawn on some athletes taking a knee against racism. He expressed that he believes the body representing them should explore a more “dignified way” for athletes to express their opinions.
Many athletes across the world have been kneeling in protest against racism and police brutality in the memory of George Floyd. An African American man who was killed by a white police officer over a suspected counterfeit $20 bill. Also Read- Darren Sammy reveals he faced racism during IPL
According to the laws of the International Olympic Committee, “demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda” is not allowed at the Olympic games.
The Olympic chief said non-discrimination is the foundation of the Olympic games. “We have fully supported the initiative of the Olympic Athletes’ Commission to have a dialogue with their counterparts, athletes from around the world, to explore different ways on how Olympic athletes can express their support for the principles enshrined in the Olympic charter in a dignified way,” Bach said.
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“We also agree at the same time with the Athletes’ Commission that we must always respect the Olympic spirit, and this means we must make a difference between such support for the principles enshrined in the Olympic charter and potentially divisive demonstrations.”
The kneeling action was first made popular by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. He kneeled during the American national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality against blacks and minorities. He received criticism and condemnation from many including President Donald Trump.
Bach says equality and non-discrimination “is Olympic DNA”
Thomas Bach supports non-discrimination in the Olympic games.
“Everyone who’s participating in the Olympic movement and the Olympic Games, in particular, is standing for these values and is demonstrating these values already by participating in the Olympic Games.
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“That is something different from a divisive issue, it is support for principles enshrined in the Olympic charter.”
