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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIOC Rejects Ukrainian Athletes’ Request To Wear Black Armbands Honoring Those Killed In Protests
The International Olympic Committee will not let athletes from Ukraine wear black arm bands to memorialize the 25 people killed during protests in the capital city of Kyiv this week, the Associated Press reports.
The Ukrainian Olympic Committee said its athletes wanted to wear the armbands as an expression of sorrow and sympathy a day after protests erupted in Kiev, setting the city aflame. At least 25 people, both protesters and police alike, were killed; more than 200 others were injured. The Ukrainians requested permission for the armbands from the IOC, which rejected the idea because such memorials are impossible under the Olympic charter.
The IOC gains plenty out of the perception that its Games foster global harmony and understanding, which is why it has no interest in making that perception a reality. Reality is ugly. In the world where the Olympics dont naturally cure all ills and problems, living up to the Olympic Charter requires action or at least the accommodation of it. It means allowing Free Tibet posters in Beijing and LGBT rights protests in Russia. It requires standing up to governments that jail dissenters and kill protesters. It means accepting more John Carloses and Tommie Smiths, more Under Protest banners, and more questions about appropriate costs, security policies, and basic rights.
Allowing Ukrainians to memorialize dead protesters and police officers and the unrest in their country doesnt rise to level of political protest that have taken place before, but it does require an acknowledgement of the fact that the worlds problems dont stop when we light the Olympic flame.
http://thinkprogress.org/sports/2014/02/19/3306031/ioc-rejects-ukrainian-athletes-request-wear-black-armbands-honoring-killed-protests/#
Orrex
(63,225 posts)truebrit71
(20,805 posts)...The IOC has about as much validity on being 'apolitical' as Bristol Palin does preaching about abstinence...
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)Or work it through language IOC understands-$$$$$ sponsors.
Maybe by 2016 we'll have an assortment of Nike GrieveHard360 commemorative arm bands for sale so athletes can grieve for fallen countrymen in style. Combined with Apple's iPod "Mourning Walk" genius playlist, the Nike total grieving performance wear will select from over 30 music styles and meters to match any sports grieving occasion.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)Just do it!
Where is Nike when you need them
Donald Ian Rankin
(13,598 posts)What I suspect the author wants is "political statements I agree with allowed, but ones I disagree with forbidden".
That's clearly a non-starter. The only two viable options are "anyone can make any political statement on the podium" or "no-one can make any kind of even remotely political statement on the podium, even admirable ones".
And the former is the right answer.