Media Contact: media@colorofchange.org
For Immediate Release: December 11, 2020
Color Of Change Applauds U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Decision to End Sanctions Against Athletes Who Protest
NATIONWIDE — In response to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s announcement yesterday that it will no longer punish Team USA athletes who raise their fists or kneel on the medals stand, Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization released the following statement from President Rashad Robinson:
“The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s decision to end sanctions against Team USA athletes who display peaceful protests is a significant victory for Olympians such as Gwen Berry, who have bravely stood by their decision to protest against racial injustice, even in the face of undue backlash.
Color Of Change and its millions of members have proudly supported these trailblazing Olympians in their fight to dismantle racist, oppressive policies that silence the free expression of Black athletes. We sent letters to and met with USOPC staff, launched a petition, and sponsored Gwen Berry after her racial justice activism led to corporate sponsorship withdrawals. The USOPC’s new commitment to support and empower athlete activists marks an overdue yet important step toward progress and equity within the sports community. But unquestionably, there is much more work to be done.
The International Olympic Committee is still enforcing Rule 50 — a problematic policy banning athletes from kneeling, raising their fists, or wearing signs or symbolic armbands in protest. The IOC enacted Rule 50 in response to peaceful protests of two Black U.S. medalists, John Carlos and Tommie Smith, during the 1968 Olympic games. The Rule 50 Guidelines are a direct attack on Black athlete activists, as ‘taking a knee’ and ‘raising fists’ are associated with justice for Black people and other marginalized communities internationally. Further, the IOC has failed to define the consequences for alleged offenders, putting Black athletes — who are more likely to receive harsher punishments for their actions — at risk of receiving disproportionately severe sanctions.
We welcome the USOPC’s efforts to work with the IOC and the International Paralympic Committee as they consider amending Rule 50 and implore all Olympic governing bodies to respect athletes’ decisions to protest in the name of justice.”
###
About Color Of Change:
Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over 7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. Visit www.colorofchange.org.