(ATR) Irish Olympians and Olympic hopefuls who responded to a survey say athletes should be allowed to protest but with some restrictions.
The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) Athletes’ Commission survey was prompted by an IOC Athletes’ Commission request for feedback that is part of a future review into Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which states "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas".
Interest in the issue among Irish athletes appears to be limited, with only 19 percent responding to the survey. Of those who did respond, an OFI statement revealed 62 percent "indicated some form of protest should be allowed but with a strong preference for forms of protest that would not involve or impact the podium".
Additionally, 67 percent of respondents indicated they would not be in favor of unrestricted protest.
"Based on this survey… We believe that Irish athletes feel Rule 50 should be reformed rather than abolished – Rule 50 should allow for some forms of protest as long as it is done in a respectful and peaceful way that does not detract from the spirit of the Olympics or has a detrimental personal impact on other athletes and their Olympic experience," OFI Athletes’ Commission chair Shane O’Connor said.
"Furthermore, we believe Irish Olympians and aspiring Olympians should aspire to driving and inspiring change for Rule 50 and we will be hosting an athlete forum to discuss a relaxation of Rule 50 and will be looking to challenge the current status quo with suggestions on how Rule 50 might evolve for Tokyo 2020. This is something that we would like to discuss in more detail."
The findings of the survey will be discussed at an online open forum for Irish athletes which will take place on September 3.
Following this the OFI Athletes’ Commission will establish a more concrete position from Team Ireland to present to the IOC.
Australia’s survey released last week found about 60 percent of Australian athletes were in favor of some sort of self-expression but more than 80 percent believe personal or political protests should not happen during Olympic competition or on the medal podium.
A number of athletes and advocacy groups are calling for the IOC to loosen or abolish Rule 50. The IOC in January released guidelines for athletes going to Tokyo 2020, saying that they could express their opinions at press conferences and on social media but that political gestures such as kneeling on the podium were not allowed.
The issue has moved to the front burner with the global support of the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of George Floyd’s death while in the custody of Minneapolis police in May.
Many sports organizations are allowing athletes to show on-field support of Black Lives Matter and the anti-racism movement.
Written by Gerard Farek
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