JOA boss says IOC may have to change its stance on future athletes' protests

Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) president, Christopher Samuda, says the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may have to reconsider its  stance on athletes protests given recent global demonstrations in the fight against racism.

As protests breakout across the world of sport, the IOC seemed to have doubled down on its stance on banning such action at the quadrennial multisport games. The IOC's rule 50 bans any form of protest action including kneeling and the raising of fists anywhere at the games.

But recent reports have suggested that the IOC is willing to negotiate with stakeholder bodies such as the athletes' commission on ways athletes can conduct protests at the games.

Samuda says the while having not yet met as a board to discuss the issue, the JOA denounces any form of racism, adding that the IOC may now be forced to change its stance.

In the meantime, the JOA boss says while they will continue to inform local athletes of the IOC's rules, the discussion must move beyond just protests.

Since the outbreak of anti-racism protests worldwide, several associations have come out in support of demonstrations against racial injustice.