The struggle for the right of athletes to Express their political and social views during major sporting events that earlier it was strictly banned by the international Olympic Committee (IOC), finds support at more and more high level. To the cancellation of “an anti-political” article 50 of the Olympic Charter called Casey Wasserman, head of the organizing Committee of the Olympic games 2028 in Los Angeles. Earlier, similar appeals to the IOC, already seem willing to make concessions at once the most fundamental issue, addressed a number of structures.In a resource Sportico was a letter addressed to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach head of the organizing Committee of the Olympic games in Los Angeles 2028 Casey Wasserman. In it Mr. Wasserman calls upon Mr. Bach’s “amendments” to the regulations on the application of article 50 of the Olympic Charter, the founding document for the world sports movement.It is a very relevant to this years theme. For the IOC hard separation of sports from politics has always been a very fundamental topic. And article 50 does not permit just “any type of demonstration or propaganda of a political, religious or racial character” “at the Olympic facilities in the competition venues and other Olympic areas.” In January it also was complemented by a number of prohibitions, for example, the use by athletes of bandages and other signs containing political slogans and gestures, which are identical to the kind of characters, like a raised fist or getting up on one knee: they symbolize anti-racism protest. For these actions at the Olympic games in Tokyo, postponed from 2020 to 2021, the athletes were going to use severe disciplinary sanctions of suspension and fines.Soon, however, not only innovation in V. 50, but all of it has undergone a powerful attack. It happened after the murder in Minneapolis of George Floyd and the emergence of the movement Black Lives Matter, which has gained tremendous momentum. Casey Wasserman is not the first prominent representative of the sports market, joined the attack. To him appeal to the IOC urging them to abolish article 50 was published by the United States Olympic Committee (USOPC) and several other organizations, like quite reputable motion Global Athlete.In many competitions, political protest has been virtually legalized, at least if to speak about the Black Lives Matter movement. The solidarity expressed by the players in the European football Championships. The North American soccer League (MLS) has allowed getting up on one knee in protest. This kind gesture was marked by the restart of the season on Thursday in the National basketball Association (NBA), players who recently formed anti-racism coalition.Casey Wasserman, Nasta��Vai on the amendments to article 50, by the way, has in mind in the first place of this aspect of the protest. According to him, in the modern world “to be antiracist” does not mean “political activity”, and is following the “basic humanistic principles.”The IOC, among other things, it seems, is ready to make concessions in this matter. Previously, Thomas Bach announced that in the near future will be held “special” consultation: the IOC athletes ‘ Commission will be in contact with athletes around the world and then make suggestions, “how athletes will worthily Express support for the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter”. Kommersant’s sources in the Olympic movement suggest that this refers to, for example, the possibility of selection on the Olympic games separate locations to Express their position.If athletes and sports organizations will be able to achieve the elimination or at least mitigation of article 50, it will be already the second successful attempt at adjustment of the Charter for the last time. Earlier, in late 2019 — the athletes insisted on the revision of another article, article 40, and got right to make a personal advertising during the Olympics. Before associating advertising with the Olympic games during them is strictly prohibited.Alex Armor
