Although the Olympics are not supposed to be politically-oriented, that was clarified by the board some time back. Some countries have pulled out from the Olympics due to political reasons, while Olympic athletes have protested the presence of the medal podium. This gesture is now prohibited by the International Olympic Committee. Below is a MSNBC news report about the controversy caused by Gwen Berry. Berry was third in the U.S Track and Field Trials hammer throw and turned her back to the flag of the United States and refused to listen to the national anthem. This was a protest against systemic racism and police brutality.Berry was partially blindsided by the fact that the anthem was not scheduled to play during the medal ceremony. She made a similar gesture at the Pan Am Games 2019 however. The US Olympic Committee (USOC), suspended her for similar gestures. They have since changed their rules so that the USOC allows free speech during the games. This puts the USOC in direct conflict with the IOC's Big Guns. The Biden administration (via Jen Psaki), defended Berry's gesture.Click on the screenshot to see the NYT articleBerry and others could be subject to IOCs violations. They say that they will investigate each case individually. They could, however, remove medal violators.What do you think? It's fine in America to demonstrate. That is, afterall, free speech. In June 1971, I did something similar when I was named valedictorian for William and Mary's graduating class. The valedictorian usually speaks a few words, but the College knew that I was a Leftist hippie and so decided to just call my name when the Lord Botetourt Medal was presented for academic achievement. To commemorate Kent State, I rose from the audience wearing a black armband and protesting the invasion of Cambodia. This cost me a summer job. The marine institute where I applied decided that they would not hire a radical, long-haired protestor. It's okay.But what about the Olympics? You can see their point.I.O.C. is the way I.O.C. Leaders see it this way: they have to manage the interests of athletes representing more than 200 countries, many with different political views, and deter any from taking notice of another athlete's rare opportunity to be on the podium. They claim that an athlete's demonstration of support for equality and human rights might offend another. Israeli athletes might perceive a gesture calling for Palestinian statehood as support of entities that have called to destroy Israel.It would be a shame to see the Olympics turn into a clash of political gestures, when the Games are meant to bring people together. However, I know that very few people will protest and, at the end of the day, I stand on the side for free speech. Professionally, an athlete who makes a gesture like refusing to get on the Wheaties box will be punished. The IOC interviewed 3,547 athletes to determine if political speech or other demonstrations should not be allowed on the competition field. 2/3 agreed.My view is that there should be a multitude of opinions on the Olympic podium. It is understandable that this seems unseemly. I hope it does not happen every time. It doesn't seem likely.Take a poll to tell us whatletsIs it possible for the International Olympic Committee to ban political gestures from the podium? Yes (47 %, 37 Votes).No (42 %, 33 Votes).No opinion (10%-8 Votes) Total Voters 78Loading... Loading...
