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IOC Bans Political Protests During 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

The International Olympic Committee has banned any form of political protest from athletes at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

According to the Associated Press' Graham Dunbar, fresh guidelines were published Thursday by the IOC stating "gestures of a political nature, like a hand gesture or kneeling" and "displaying any political messaging, including signs or armbands" are now forbidden at the forthcoming event in Japan.

IOC Athletes' Commission chair Kirsty Coventry said: "We needed clarity and they wanted clarity on the rules. The majority of athletes feel it is very important that we respect each other as athletes.