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Olympic rule on podium demonstrations stays in place with international athlete support

A rule disallowing certain Olympic athlete demonstrations, including hand gestures and kneeling, on medal podiums, in the field of play and at Opening and Closing Ceremonies remains in place after a majority of 3,457 international athletes surveyed supported it.

The International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission recommended increasing opportunities for athlete expression at the Games while keeping the current rule restricting demonstrations from Olympic venues.

The recommendations were made after a survey of athletes from 185 National Olympic Committees, including the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and 41 Olympic sports.

The IOC Executive Board approved all six recommendations made by the commission.