[ad_1]
The U.S. women’s soccer team was among the teams on Wednesday kneeling ahead of their games to protest racism, discrimination and inequality as the Olympics officially began
The USA and Sweden teams knelt before their match. An official whistled and all the players fell to one knee. According to Yahoo Sports, at least one on-court referee also knelt.
The match officially started moments later.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“This is an opportunity for us to continue to use our voices and our platforms to talk about the things that affect us all intimately in different ways,” said Megan Rapinoe after their 3-0 loss to Sweden.
“We have people from Team USA, from all over the country, from all walks of life, and people from all over the world for all the other teams, so obviously I encourage everyone to use this platform to the best of their ability. capacities to do the most good. that they possibly can in the world, especially as all eyes are on Tokyo for the next few weeks “
The players kneel before the opening match of the women’s soccer first round between the United States and Sweden at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. The games will be the first in modern history to unfold without spectators, after Tokyo entered another state of emergency that will last throughout the tournament. Photographer: Noriko Hayashi / Bloomberg via Getty Images
The United States and Sweden weren’t the only teams kneeling in protest.
The British women’s football team knelt before their first Olympic match against Chile. The players decided at a team meeting before flying to Japan that they were going to kneel down.
SUE BIRD AND EDDY ALVAREZ TO WEAR AN AMERICAN FLAG AT THE OPENING CEREMONIES OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES
All the teams pushed the limits of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules regarding athletes performing political acts at the Games.
“As a group, we were convinced that we wanted to show our support for those affected by discrimination and equality,” said Britain’s captain Steph Houghton. “It was a proud moment because the Chilean players also got down on their knees to show how united we are as a sport”,
Chilean players across the pitch seemed to ignore the British protest at first. Once they spotted the kneeling, Chilean midfielder Daniela Pardo followed suit and her teammates followed.
Great Britain striker Georgia Stanway (left) and Great Britain midfielder Keira Walsh kneel ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Women’s Group E first round soccer match between Great Britain and Chile at Sapporo Dome in Sapporo on July 21, 2021. (Photo by Asano Ikko / AFP via Getty Images)
“It was a non-timing issue,” said Chilean midfielder Karen Araya. “We couldn’t communicate properly because of the language. The moment we saw the English take the knee right away, we decided to do the same and of course we are in favor of that sort of thing.”
Great Britain won their match 2-0.
Earlier in July, the IOC extended more guidelines on free expression for athletes at the Tokyo Games, but warned against political gestures at official ceremonies, competitions and in the Olympic Village.
EPIC AMERICAN WOMEN’S SOCCER IMPATTER SERIES ENDS AT OLYMPIC GAMES
The IOC said the guidelines were approved by the IOC Executive Board as part of the recommendations of the IOC Athletes’ Commission (IOC IOC). The IOC said the guidelines provide “more clarity” on the “wide range of opportunities available to them to express their views.”
Athletes will be allowed to express a political gesture before the start of a competition or during their presentation or team presentation. However, the gesture must meet four different criteria.
The gesture must comply with the “Fundamental Principles of Olympism”, cannot target a certain people, country or organization, cannot be disruptive and cannot already be prohibited by the Olympic committee or the federation of a nation .
“When expressing their opinions, athletes are required to respect applicable laws, Olympic values and their fellow athletes. It must be recognized that any behavior and / or expression which constitutes or signals discrimination, hatred, hostility or the potential for violence against any base whatsoever is contrary to the Fundamental Principles of ‘Olympism,’ said the IOC.
If an athlete breaks the guidelines, the IOC has foreseen a possible discipline. The IOC could organize disciplinary hearings, during which the athlete would be required to provide full transparency about his actions.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“The new guidelines are the result of our extensive consultation with the global athlete community,” said IOC Organizing Committee Chair Kirsty Coventry at the time. “While the guidelines provide new opportunities for athletes to express themselves before competition, they preserve competition on the playing field, ceremonies, victory ceremonies and the Olympic Village. This was the wish of a large majority of the athletes in our global consultation. “
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
Source link