Simone — for example — is welcome to express her views on any topic during an Olympic Press conference, but not on the podium.
Olympic leaders have long sought to keep political displays out of the international competition.
Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which serves as the foundational rulebook for the Games, prohibits athletes from any kind of “demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda.”
But the three-page document published Thursday by the IOC sought to provide more detail and nuance to that long-standing rule. It specified the locations where protests will not be allowed, including the field of play, the Olympic Village and during medal ceremonies and opening and closing ceremonies.
It also outlined times that athletes will be allowed to express political views: In press conferences, at team meetings or on digital media platforms.
“It should be noted that expressing views is different from protests and demonstrations,” the guidelines say. …
