Racial and social justice demonstrations that are respectful, including raising a fist or kneeling on a podium or start line, will be allowed at upcoming U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Trials events.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee outlined those demonstrations on Tuesday after collaboration with the Team USA Council on Racial and Social Justice that was formed last year.
Demonstrations that are allowed are ones “aimed at advancing racial and social justice or promoting the human dignity of individuals or groups that have historically been underrepresented, minoritized, or marginalized in their respective societal context.”
Examples of demonstrations by Team USA athletes that will be permitted by the USOPC at Trials:
- Wearing a hat with phrases such as “Black Lives Matter” or “Trans Lives Matter” or words such “equality” or “respect”
- Orally advocating for equity/equal rights for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals, or other historically underrepresented, marginalized or minoritized populations
- Holding up one’s fist at the start line or on the podium
- Kneeling on the podium or at the start line during the national anthem
The USOPC also defined “impermissible elements” that violate USOPC rules — “expressions that advocate against other people, their dignity, or their rights.