Tokyo Olympic Athletes Banned From Wearing BLM Apparel

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Tokyo Olympic athletes will not be allowed to wear Black Lives Matter apparel at Games ceremonies this summer. Officials have confirmed that’s part of the ban on protests and political messages.

The International Olympic Committee says it surveyed more than 3,500 athletes over the past year. They say they found that 70% said it was “not appropriate to demonstrate or express their views” on the field of play or at the opening or closing ceremony.

The IOC says any instance of breaking the rules will be evaluated by an athlete’s respective National Olympic Committee, the International Federation and the IOC, and disciplinary action will be taken on a case-by-case basis as necessary.

Our question of the night: should athletes be allowed to support causes of their choice on their uniforms?

This episode’s panel features:
WCCB TV’s Morgan Fogarty
WCCB News @ Ten anchor Drew Bollea
WCCB Sports anchor Zach Aldridge