The opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo is just weeks away after being delayed a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For most of the athletes competing, it’s the biggest stage of their professional sporting careers.
Over the past few months, posts on Facebook and Twitter have made the following claim: “Japan has banned all BLM apparel from the Olympics. NO ONE can kneel/raise fists during the anthems.” Two Facebook posts in May with the claim have been shared 59,000 and 67,000 times. Posts continue to be made through June with the same claim and were shared thousands of times.
THE QUESTION
Did Japan ban Black Lives Matter apparel and kneeling during anthems?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
No, Japan did not ban Black Lives Matter apparel and kneeling during anthems. It’s the International Olympic Committee that sets those rules.
WHAT WE FOUND
The Olympics are governed by the Olympic Charter, a set of rules and guidelines established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that everyone involved in the Games, from host countries to athletes and fans, agree to follow within the Olympic venue.
The social media posts appear to reference Rule 50 of the charter, which governs neutrality by stating, “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
The rule not only applies to what athletes say but what they wear as well. It also includes, “Gestures of a political nature, like a hand gesture or kneeling,” according to the IOC.
Team USA tells its athletes that Rule 50 ensures “the Games remain free from demonstrations and political, religious, and racial propaganda.”
On July 2, the IOC revised some of its guidelines related to Rule 50, which gives athletes more opportunities to express themselves, most notably on the field of play prior to the start of the competition, such as when they or their team is being introduced. The form of expression must not target people, countries, organizations or be disruptive. Athletes can also express their views during press conferences, interviews and on social media.
Demonstrations are still banned during competitions, official ceremonies and in the Olympic Village. Official ceremonies include medal ceremonies and the opening and closing ceremonies. So, expressions are still not allowed while anthems are played during ceremonies.
The penalties for not following the IOC’s rules vary. The IOC says it will take action on any violations on a case-by-case basis.
The changes made weeks before the Tokyo Games came after the IOC upheld Rule 50 in April, saying a majority of athletes responding to a survey said they thought it was not appropriate to demonstrate or express their views while on the field of play, at official ceremonies or on the podium.
Rules limiting demonstrations at the Olympics have been around for decades. VERIFY researchers found a ban on demonstrations as part of the Olympic Charter dating back to the 1950s. The 1955 Olympic Charter states countries who invite the IOC to host the upcoming Games “must state that no political demonstrations will be held in the stadium or other sport grounds, or in the Olympic Village, during the Games, and that it is not the intention to use the Games for any other purpose than for the advancement of the Olympic Movement.”
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