The plan for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics is for toned down celebrations, strict Covid-19 protocols, and there will be no protesting of any kind allowed by the athletes under strict consequences as policies established by the International Olympic Committee (photo from swimmingworld.com)

Tokyo Olympics: Protest at the Games will Have Consequences

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

With less than a month until the Tokyo Olympics get under way, the International Olympic Committee reiterated that they will not allow any form of protest or demonstrations, from kneeling to other actions taken on the field of play or during official ceremonies at the podium and those who do will be punished, including the possible stripping of the medals, which they have the rights to enact.

The IOC spent 11 months consulting with experts and athletes. They polled over 3,500 elite athletes and Olympians age 16 to 55 and over. The results showed the majority is clearly against demonstrations, and although the punishment has yet to be determined, the IOC said that those who choose to disrespect the country they represent will suffer consequences.

Kristy Coventry, 37 years old, ex-Olympic swimmer and the most decorated Olympian from Africa who is the current Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation in the government/cabinet of Zimbabwe, Africa, said: “A very clear majority of athletes said that they think it’s not appropriate to demonstrate or express their views on the field of play, at the official ceremonies or at the podium. “

So, our recommendation is to preserve the podium, field of play and official ceremonies from any kind of protest or demonstrations or acts perceived as such,” continued Coventry. Olympian Athletes represent their respective countries. In the United States (unlike other Olympic nations) the government doesn’t have a funded sports ministry.

The US Olympic Committee pays for itself, mainly through corporate sponsorships and some of the proceeds from broadcast rights. The IOC encourages and supports the promotion of ethics in sport along with education of youth through sport.

To promote fair play in sport and rid sport of violence. Punishment for athletes who demonstrate, pre, during, or after an event, include: -Disqualification -Pulled from competition -Striped of medal -Banning from competition in four years Games are scheduled to take place in the Japanese capital between 23 July and 8 August.

They were postponed last year because of Covid. It will feature 33 sports at 339 events across 42 venues. NBC is the official network. A Japanese doctor in Japan has pledged to hold a “safe and secure” 2020 Olympics in Tokyo after a year-long postponement but is struggling to contain a fourth wave of infections and preparing to extend a state of emergency in much of the country.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday and News and Commentaries each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com