Last Saturday, during the (virtual) Gala of the International Athletics Federation, Sebastian Coe had chosen to award his “President’s Prize” to three men, Tommie Smith and John Carlos with their fists raised in black gloves on the podium of the Games. from Mexico City, as well as the Australian Peter Norman, silver medalist of this legendary day. “They have inspired athletes across the world, from Mexico City 1968 to the present day”, pointed out World Athletics to justify this price.
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Tommie Smith (center protests with compatriot John Carlos against discrimination against blacks in the United States on the podium of the 200m at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. (DB / DPA / PICTURE ALLIANCE / Presse Sports )
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A stone in the garden of the IOC and its President Thomas Bach while discussions are underway about the possible revision of Article 50 of the Olympic Charter. The latter stipulates that no kind of political, religious or racial demonstration or propaganda is permitted in any Olympic venue, site or other location.
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Having made political neutrality one of his hallmarks, the IOC President may have felt targeted or at least felt a form of pressure by the choice of Coe, the latter having a more open position on the subject than Lausanne authority.
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“We do not believe that acts against racism can be defined as political or religious marketing”
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During the press conference that followed the IOC Executive Board meeting, Bach waited for a question to be asked about his feelings about the choice of Seb Coe to read article 1.3.5 World Athletics Marketing and Advertising Rules: “Political (promoting any party, policy, association, movement, ideas, or any other political cause) and religious (promoting religions, movements, ideas or other religions) marketing is prohibited”. “I have nothing more to add”, concluded President Bach mischievously.
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An outing that could not leave Sebastian Coe and his team indifferent. Very quickly, they responded with a press release: “We do not believe that acts against racism can be defined as political or religious marketing, indique World Athletics. Article 1.3.5. of our marketing and advertising policies relate specifically to our marketing and advertising display. There is nothing in our rules or the code of integrity that can prevent athletes from protesting as long as it is done in a respectful manner, with consideration of other athletes and without creating image damage. of our sport. “
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