HONG KONG– Swimming’s world governing body FINA said athletes will be allowed to express their opinions at news conferences and via media channels at the TokyoOlympicsbut protests during medal ceremonies are prohibited.
Podium protests have emerged as a controversial issue ahead of the Games with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) deciding to retain a regulation forbidding any kind of “demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda” in venues and other Olympic areas.
That has prompted criticism from some athletes, including Britain’s Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty, who said they have a right to express their opinions without being punished.
FINA’s l…
Keep on reading: Swimming body says podium protests banned for Tokyo Olympics