Olympics announces BAN on Black Lives Matter apparel or demonstrations
Black Lives Matter activists cannot use the Olympics as a stage to push their agenda, the Olympics recently announced.
“Black Lives Matter apparel is banned at the [Summer] Olympics in Tokyo, International Olympic Committee has announced,” Disclose TV reported recently.
The international sports competition will not allow athletes to to engage in political protests -- Black Lives Matter often calls police officers “pigs” or advocates for violence if they do not get what they want.
“That means raising a fist or kneeling during the national anthem as many professional U.S. athletes have done over the past year risks punishment,” KXAN reported.
“The International Olympic Committee got very granular with what is not allowed,” the local news organization said. “It said specifically that the slogan ‘Black Lives Matter’ will be banned from athlete apparel at the Summer Olympics.”
Notably, “It’s part of the IOC’s long-standing ban on ‘demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda’ on the playing field, the medal stand or during the Games’ official ceremonies,” KXAN said.
A number of Twitter users praised the decision.
“100% keep politics out of all sports,” one user named Brian tweeted.
“I hope any athlete who protests in ANY way is banned for life by the IOC,” Sean Halleran tweeted.
Most athletes also support the decision.
“The IOC said 70% of athletes polled do not think it’s appropriate to demonstrate during competition, and 67% said it’s not appropriate either on the medal stand,” KXAN reported.
However, other people said they oppose the decision.
“I love #Olympic hockey, curling, and a few other sports. But after what the #IOC just did regarding the #Olympics I will never watch them again. I implore all my friends to do the same,” one user said.
Do you support the ban? Do you think politics should stay out of the Olympics? Share your thoughts below!