The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) today outlined a range of measures on when and where during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games participants may demonstrate, protest and make political statements.
The IPC Athletes’ Council briefed the
IPC Governing Board after a nine-month athlete-led consultation with
Paralympians and Para athletes regarding Section 1, Chapter 3, article 2.2 -
the IPC’s version of the IOC’s Rule 50.
With 34 days to go, the IPC Governing
Board approved measures proposed by the IPC Athletes’ Council which can be
practically implemented in time for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. This
includes allowing participants to demonstrate, protest, and/or make political
statements as follows, provided that their demonstrations, protests, and/or
political statements do not involve any Impermissible Elements:
- in the mixed zones, including when
speaking to the media;
- in the International Broadcasting
Centre or the Main Media Centre, including when speaking to the media;
- during press conferences;
- during media interviews;
- during team meetings;
- in traditional media or digital
media; and/or
- on social media channels (except
when the Participant is on the Field of Play, or participating in any Official
Ceremonies).
Post-Tokyo 2020, and after an
evaluation of the new measures, the IPC Governing Board will work with the IPC
Athletes’ Council on its plan for the implementation of further recommendations
at future Games from Beijing 2022 onwards.
Chelsey Gotell, IPC Athletes’ Council
Chairperson, said: “I would like to thank all athletes who contributed their
views to the nine-month long consultation.
The exercise came at a critical time for the athlete community, where
the voices of Para athletes have been incredibly influential in sparking and
shifting the dialogue on social injustices faced by fellow citizens of the
world.
“The IPC Governing Board has stuck to
its word throughout this entire process and been extremely supportive. I am
pleased that several of the IPC Athletes’ Council recommendations will be
implemented for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and that there is a firm
commitment from the Board to look at what measures can be introduced for future
Games from Beijing 2022 onwards.”
Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said:
“Twelve months ago, the IPC Governing Board stated that the IPC Athletes’
Council’s consultation was an opportunity for us to listen and learn from the
athlete community.
“It has been an extremely worthwhile
experience and we are grateful to the Athletes’ Council for undertaking such a
thorough consultation. We now have
several clear recommendations on what the athlete community would like to see
changed and what they would like to remain the same with regards to the existing
rule.
“Due to the close proximity of Tokyo
2020, not all recommendations can be implemented in time for this edition of
the Games, but we are fully committed to working with the Athletes’ Council to
develop the right governance structures that support athletes in the
long-term."
Nine-month consultation
Today’s announcement follows a
nine-month consultation led by the IPC Athletes’ Council and championed by the
IPC Governing Board. To gather opinions and engage in consultation, all
Paralympians and Para athletes globally within the Paralympic Movement were
invited to nine focus groups to discuss the current rules and what changes
could be made in the future. The athlete community was also invited to
complete an online survey, which 489 athletes across 27 summer and winter
sports – 267 Paralympians and 222 Para athletes - completed. The
recommendations made are a direct reflection of the consultation.
Overall, the majority of athletes
that took part in the consultation agreed that the rule should remain in place
and that the field of play, medal presentations and opening and closing
ceremonies should be protected. Athletes
did feel however that the current rule should be updated to provide other
opportunities for athletes to express themselves during the Paralympic Games on
topics that were important to them.
The full report can be viewed here:
https://www.paralympic.org/sites/default/files/2021-07/Protest%20Report%20Final%20for%20GB%20Accessable%20.pdf
The key recommendations from the IPC
Athletes’ Council for the IPC Governing Board were:
- Protect the field of play and
official ceremonies from all forms of protest by increasing opportunities
outside of these protected spaces whereby athletes can express themselves.
- Clarify the existing wording of
article 2.2
- Further educate athletes about the
requirements of article 2.2
- Develop a sanction protocol and
include one or more independent former Paralympians to hearing panels that
decide on sanctions
- Review mixed zone opportunities for
athlete demonstrations, protests, and/or political statements
- Develop demonstration and/or
speaking opportunities for athletes within designated areas of the Paralympic
Village for future Games after Tokyo 2020
- Increase communication across IPC
channels that support athlete expression
- Revise the IPC social media
guidelines for athletes.
Chelsey Gotell said: “These
recommendations come after months of consultation and discussion with the Para
athletes from around the world who engaged in the consultation. Our aim was to
hear from our fellow athletes to collect their opinions on the current rule and
their ideas for what the future of athlete protests at the Paralympic Games
should look like. As an athlete led consultation, the IPC Athletes' Council
have taken all the feedback received and have produced the recommendations that
hold true to the outcomes of the consultation. We have worked to balance the
perspectives – developing new opportunities to give athletes a platform while
respecting the outcomes to protect the podium and field of play.
“This discussion will continue to
evolve over the coming years and the IPC Athletes' Council, in consultation
with the athlete community, will continue to review the recommendations to
ensure they reflect the interests of Para athletes globally.”
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