Athletes at the United States Olympic trials will now be free to take a knee during the national anthem as a means of protest.
According to reports, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee will not punish athletes for kneeling, or participating in any other form of peaceful protest during the upcoming trials.
“With guidance from its recently formed Council on Racial and Social Justice, the USOPC released a list of dos and don’ts as part of its document. The list of allowable forms of demonstration included holding up a fist, kneeling during the anthem and wearing hats or face masks with phrases such as “Black Lives Matter” or words such as “equality” or “justice.”
Not allowed are hate symbols, as defined by the Anti-Defamation League, and actions that would impede others from competing, such as lying down in the middle of the track.”
As a result, a bunch of people jumped online and raged over the news, with some threatening to boycott the Olympics.
Check out some of the responses:
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“@USOlympic @TeamUSA have decided to enter Politics. It will cost them viewers. #Dumbasses”
The 2021 Tokyo Olympics will run from July 23-August 8.
