For Immediate Release: July 2, 2021
Media contact: media@colorofchange.org
Olympic Institutions Undermine Progress with Wave of Discriminatory Policy Announcements, Send Chilling Message to Black Athletes
NATIONWIDE — In response to discriminatory policies upheld by Olympic sports organizations and following the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) latest Rule 50 guideline changes for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, Color Of Change Senior Campaigns Director Jade Magnus Ogunnaike released the below statement:
“Rather than learn from their failures during the 1968 Summer Games, the IOC released vague amendments to Rule 50.2 which lays the groundwork to block Black athletes’ activism. Less than a week after Gwen Berry’s silent protest led to a vociferous set of online hate and violent threats, the IOC’s announcement sends a chilling message to Black athletes globally that any calls for racial justice and equity will be met with institutional force and retribution.
By unleashing a rash of discriminatory policy announcements, major Olympic institutions have also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to hindering Black expression in sport. The Swimming Federation’s decision to deny the use of swimming caps designed for natural Black hairstyles perpetuates a centuries-old gatekeeping tactic that not only attempts to regulate Black athletes’ access to competition, but also adds to the long line of exclusionary policies that target Black athletes on an international stage.
The recent onslaught of vile attacks by far-right lawmakers and institutions against Black Olympic athletes, including our partner Gwen Berry, offers a view into what Black communities are forced to deal with on a daily basis. It also comes as no surprise that Black women, who are disproportionately excluded from decision-making roles within these institutions, have been harmed the most by these policies.
Corporate Olympic sponsors have a moral obligation to step up and support Black athletes and communities by calling on the IOC to abolish Rule 50 and commitment to racial justice both on and off the field. In addition to calling for an end to Rule 50, corporations that claim to stand in solidarity with Black communities must speak out in support of Gwen Berry and other Black athlete activists amid this and future vitriolic conservative backlash.
Color Of Change and our millions of members will continue to support Black athletes who use their platforms to speak up for racial justice and fight for a safer and more humane world for Black communities around the globe.”
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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.