Strong Support for IOC Policy on Olympic Mourning

(ATR) The World Olympians Association commends the IOC's decision on a new way for athletes to mourn during the Olympic Games.

"Olympians are the heart and soul of the Games and it is right that they should have the opportunity to remember those close to them who they have lost," Joel Bouzou, president of the WOA, tellsAround the Rings.

Under measures that will go into effect at the 2016 Rio Games, a special area will be set up in the Olympic Village for athletes to mourn the loss of family or friends.

A moment of reflection will be observed during the closing ceremony for everyone at the Gamesto remember those they have lost, not necessarily during an Olympics.

The IOC Executive Board approved these steps during a series of meetings last week in Rio.

The IOC's moves do not include a moment of silence during opening ceremonies to commemorate the 11 Israelis killed at the 1972 Munich Games.

During the 2012 London Olympics, the IOC came under scrutiny for refusing a moment of silence for the Israeli victims at the opening ceremony.Athletes were also discouraged from wearing black armbands during competition in respect to deceased friends, relatives or fellow competitors.

As a rule, the IOC prohibits the wearing of any messages on Olympic uniforms or equipment.

"Participants at past Olympic Games have been affected by casualties and incidents back in their home counties," IOC president Thomas Bach told the Associated Press in Rio on Saturday.

Since Feb. 2010, seven athletes have died at the Olympics while either competing or practicing in their sport.

Another 12 participants have died at the Games from events which were not connected with sports.

In Sochi last year, the IOC came under fire when it reprimanded Norway after four female cross-country skiers wore black armbands in memory of an athlete's brother who died shortly before the Games.

Freestyle skiers in Sochi were also told not towear stickers on their helmets in tribute to Canadian halfpipe skier Sarah Burke, who died after a crash in training in 2012.

Bach said the mourning site would honor "all those who have lost their lives at the Olympic Games."

This would include, Bach said, the Munich victims as well as Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, who died in a training crash the day before the opening of the 2010 Vancouver Games.

"We want to give the athletes the opportunity to express their mourning in a dignified way and environment in the Olympic Village, where representatives of the whole world are living peacefully under the same roof."

Written byNicole Bennett

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