The International Olympic Committee and Tokyo 2020 organisers have reportedly banned their social media teams from posting pictures of athletes taking the knee at the Games.
According to The Guardian, the message is believed to have directly referenced Team GB's women's football game against Chile on Wednesday, where both sides took the knee.
The decision comes despite the IOC recently relaxing Rule 50 ahead of the games in Tokyo, which had previously forbidden athletes to make any kind of demonstration.
Peaceful protest is now allowed on the field of play, provided it is done without disruption and with respect for fellow competitors.
Team GB’s women’s football team praised for taking the knee before their first match at the Olympics https://t.co/22PvQmhb51
— The Independent (@Independent) July 21, 2021
Speaking after the game, which Team GB won 2-0, Team GB player Steph Houghton said they decided to take the knee as a squad.
“As players in Great Britain we’ve been taking the knee in club and international matches and we felt strongly as a group that we wanted to show support for those affected by discrimination and equality.
“It was a proud moment because the Chile players took the knee too to show how united we are as sport.”
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