IOC signals plan to continue barring protests, demonstrations during Olympics

The International Olympic Committee indicated Wednesday that athletes will continue to face punishment for protesting or demonstrating while on the medal podium, at official ceremonies, or on the field of play.

The announcement effectively means the IOC is standing pat on a key component of Rule 50 of the Olympic charter, which has long prohibited any kind of "demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda" at the Games. It also ensures that the IOC's policy will remain directly at odds with that of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, which has said it will not sanction U.S. athletes for such protests and demonstrations at its events – including the upcoming Olympic trials.

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