Videos by OutKick
Take note, NFL. The International Olympic Committee will not allow kneeling or other forms of protest at the Olympic Games, which begin next month in Tokyo. Athletes will not be allowed to participate in protests or demonstrations on the field of play, during an official ceremony or at the podium, and those who do will be punished, per a TMZ report.
Kristy Coventry, the IOC’s Athlete’s Commission chief, will likely gain massive social media support across the U.S. after she said: “A very clear majority of athletes said that they think it’s not appropriate to demonstrate or express their views on the field of play, at the official ceremonies or at the podium.
“So, our recommendation is to preserve the podium, field of play and official ceremonies from any kind of protest or demonstrations or acts perceived as such,” continued Coventry.
America’s most popular pro sports, such as the NFL and NBA, have generally looked the other way when athletes choose to disrespect the flag. But they would be wise to look at the IOC’s recent findings about such demonstrations. According to TMZ, the IOC spent 11 months consulting with various experts and athletes before drawing up its plan. They polled more than 3,500 elite athletes and Olympians, ranging in age from 16 to 55+, and the majority are clearly against the demonstrations.
Specific punishments for violating the rules against protests and demonstrations have yet to be determined, but those who choose to disrespect the country they represent will suffer consequences.
Damn they have more balls than NBA and other leagues. They will change there mind within 48 hours because of black lash from Twitter.
The absolute smartest decision any business or entity can possibly make anymore is just straight up deleting Twitter and not acknowledging it one iota. Like in this example, let the idiotic 0.01% of the population railing on Twitter about it have their “say” and they will move onto the next idiotic “cause” by Wednesday.
Exactly, Twitter is a bunch of out of work losers who comment on shit that only offends like 1-2% of the world, tops. Stop paying attention to the smelly people in their parents’ basements.
Hopefully they will take medals away. Because you know our team is going to have the showboat game protesters. They’ll trade their medals for Nike contracts.
They have to strip them of medals. It’s the only real “punishment” the IOC has authority to enact. If they protest before the event – disqualified; during it – pulled immediately and banned; and after on podium – stripped of medal and of possibility of competing in 4 years.
Especially since they receive monetary compensation for medals they win.
As William suggests above, it will be fascinating to see if this decisions survives the mob. Outrage commencing in 3…2…1….
I hope that activist chick Gwen throw her shoulder out of place.
Good. A sport I can watch. And when they do inevitably protest (probably an American) take their f****ing medals away.
Agreed
This is a great example of how the rest of the world doesn’t get the leftist woke mindset at all. The world looks at the woke complaints with scorn, because most would trade all they had to live here. The world also doesn’t understand the point, because there’s no clearly stated “reason” anyone has ever articulated for the protests anyone comprehends that cites actual systemic problems worthy of protests. You can’t convince people there’s a problem if you provide no compelling arguments. I’ve said from the start kneeling protests of your country’s flag are the most irrational protest imaginable, because you’re protesting a country that allows you the freedom to stand there protesting. It looks like a spoiled child stamping his feet because he didn’t get what he wanted to the world. The world thinks “if you’re able to stand there then it ain’t that freakin bad.” It’s not inspiring; it’s pathetic.
OMG – what will Gwen do when she’s on the winners’ podium? Oh wait… she’s not getting anywhere near the podium, lol.
It will be difficult to devise a punishment that doesn’t discourage attention-getting behavior. One way would be to blank-out the person involved in the television coverage…..much like what happens with streakers.
Perhaps they can give “fake” medals to the winners while they go through he award ceremony, which they can then exchange for the real medals. At least this would reduce the marketability of the medal.
They can always try to punish the team, but that just achieves what the protesters want.