The IOC prefers coaches and athletes not to express their opinions on anything outside of the Olympics.
Venezuela, Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Nigeria, all hot spots in the world, deportation and tariffs. The Olympics are around a month away and Russian athletes will be allowed to compete in the Milan-Cortina Olympics and Paralympics but will International Olympic Committee directors allow athletes to voice their opinions?
There is something called Rule 50. Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter provides a framework to protect the neutrality of sport and the Olympic Games. It states that. “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.” Rule 50 has a clause that basically tells athletes and coaches to shut up. “It is a fundamental principle that sport is neutral and must be separate from political, religious or any other type of interference. Specifically, the focus for the field of play and related ceremonies must be on celebrating athletes’ performance, and showcasing sport and its values.” Rule 50 has more. “When an individual makes their grievances, however legitimate, more important than the feelings of their competitors and the competition itself, the unity and harmony as well as the celebration of sport and human accomplishment are diminished.” Athletes better just smile when getting their medals because the IOC does not want a repeat of the 1968 Mexico City protest by Thommie Smith and John Carlos that included a bowed head and a gloved fist in the air after an event. The two were protesting conditions in the United States. There are no demonstrations allowed on the field of play or in the Olympic Village or during Olympic medal ceremonies or during the Opening, Closing and other official Ceremonies. But athletes and coaches under certain circumstances can voice opinions on social media and even press conferences. It is better to be seen than heard in IOC circles.
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