Dr. Jake Kucek
Assistant Professor in the John Carroll School of Communication. He teaches Integrated Marketed Communication and researches Corporate Social Responsibility in sports and the rapidly evolving field of Esports. His work explores the intersections of communication and social media.
Email: jkucek@jcu.edu
The Olympic Games have always been more than just a showcase of athletic talent; they serve as a global stage for national pride and international unity. Nonetheless, they have also become a platform for political expression and protest. Over the years, athletes have used the Olympics to highlight pressing social, political, and racial issues, sparking debate and controversy.
Protests at the Olympics are not new. One of the most memorable examples occurred during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics when American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in a Black Power salute during the medal ceremony for the 200-meter race. This act of defiance protested racial discrimination and inequality in the United States. The image of Smith and Carlos standing with their fists raised has become an enduring symbol of the civil rights movement, illustrating the intersection of sports and politics (see here and here).
Another significant instance of protest took place at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. In response to the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan, over 60 countries, led by the United States, boycotted the Games. This boycott demonstrated how international relations and geopolitical conflicts could directly impact participation in the Olympics. The 2008 Beijing Olympics were marked by protests against China’s human rights record, particularly concerning Tibet. Activists used the global attention on the Games to draw attention to issues of oppression and the lack of freedom in the region. Similarly, the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics saw protests against Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws, with many athletes and supporters expressing solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
In the modern era, athlete activism has gained significant momentum. Prominent figures such as Naomi Osaka, who has spoken out on racial injustice and mental health issues, Kyrie Irving, known for his stance on vaccine hesitancy, Colin Kaepernick, who protested against police brutality, and Megan Rapinoe, an advocate for social justice, have used their platforms to champion causes they believe in. These cases illustrate the personal and professional risks and rewards associated with speaking out.
However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has implemented specific measures to limit athlete protests. The IOC enforces Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits athletes from engaging in demonstrations or promoting political, religious, or racial propaganda at Olympic sites, venues, or other areas. The intent behind Rule 50 is to preserve the neutrality of the Olympic Games and keep the focus on sport rather than on political or social issues.
Rule 50 states: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.” In recent years, the IOC has softened its stance somewhat. In 2021, the IOC updated Rule 50 to allow athletes to express their views before the start of competitions, provided these expressions are not disruptive and respect other competitors. Nevertheless, the rule continues to prohibit protests during medal ceremonies, on the podium, or during official Olympic events.
The Olympic Charter also outlines the potential consequences for “any violation of the Olympic Charter.” For individual athletes and teams, these penalties can include “temporary or permanent ineligibility or exclusion from the Olympic Games” and “disqualification or withdrawal of accreditation.” In cases of disqualification or exclusion, athletes must return any medals and diplomas awarded in connection with the violation to the IOC.
However, this has not stopped spectators from voicing their opinions, and today’s platforms such as TikTok offer new ways to galvanize demonstrations for the Olympics. Environmental concerns sparked protests ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Pollution in the Seine River became a major issue, with residents voicing their frustrations just weeks before Olympic athletes were scheduled to compete in its waters. Some residents threatened to hold a large-scale protest by defecating in the river on June 23, using the viral hashtag #JeChieDansLaSeineLe23Juin, which translates to “I shit in the Seine on June 23.” Although the planned protest did not materialize, the issue remains significant, as evidenced by Belgium’s withdrawal from their mixed triathlon race after one of their participants fell ill following a swim in the Seine.
While iconic moments like Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising their fists in 1968 may seem distant due to the new IOC rulings, citizens have not hesitated to share their views, document protests, and engage with supporters. In the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Union of Ukrainians of France organized a peaceful march in Paris to honor fallen sports heroes and highlight the ongoing impact of the conflict on Ukraine’s athletic community. Similarly, around 300 people rallied at the Paris Organizing Committee’s headquarters, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans opposing Israel’s “institutional participation” in the Games due to the ongoing war in Gaza. The Olympics remains an outlet to protest global tensions.
