tokyo 2020 olympics

British women's soccer team will take a knee at Olympics

16 Comments

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16 Comments
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What is the magic in this gesture?

0 ( +9 / -9 )

self indulgent crap.

Also japan wouldn’t have a clue why they’re doing it .

0 ( +13 / -13 )

Idiotic, meaningless, self indulgent grandstanding. Try respecting the flag and what it stands for instead of falling in lockstep with the woke gestapo.

-3 ( +11 / -14 )

YES enolaygay and Brent.... and how about they perform a deep bow to the Japanese people.... this is all getting beyond repugnant.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Good for them. The hideous racist abuse of three young England players this week shows there's still a long way to go and the protest must never stop.

Anti-discrimination is good, anti-anti-discrimination is bad. Let's hope they win the gold medal!

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

"We are clear that taking the knee is an important symbol of peaceful protest against discrimination, injustice and inequality in society and we are glad that the IOC have acknowledged the importance of this form of freedom of expression," Britain coach Hege Riise said.

Yet this act by the IOC is discriminatory in itself. Only the protests that fit the appropriate woke agenda are allowed.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

 Try respecting the flag and what it stands for instead of falling in lockstep with the woke gestapo.

Exactly what the flag stands for but let's just ignore what's actually happening.

What is the magic in this gesture?

Apparently triggering people who STILL don't know what it means.

Also japan wouldn’t have a clue why they’re doing it .

Cause only Japanese people will watch the Olympics?

If you honestly believe that kneeling is disrespectful, please provide a situation when it is considered so. I love my country, I love my kids too but I'm not blind to things they do wrong. Blind patriotism is actually pretty daym dangerous.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

If you honestly believe that kneeling is disrespectful, please provide a situation when it is considered so. I love my country, I love my kids too but I'm not blind to things they do wrong. Blind patriotism is actually pretty daym dangerous.

Political grandstanding at sporting events is disrespectful to the players that participate and audience that paid money to see the game. It also gives politics an accepted platform to further politicize sports, distracting from the very fundamental concept that sports is supposed to be entertainment. Where do we go next? A pregame show with rotating political messages, a halftime show expounding on the virtues of saving X species? I have no problems with protests, they should be done publicly and legally AND on the protesters time. You are very right to say blind patriotism is dangerous, there are a lot of wrongs that transpire in this world daily, I do not turn a blind eye to them..... I fully support freedom of speech and the right to protest, but when entertainers and athletes choose their professions to push their agenda, they do more harm to their cause than good, simply because it is not the time or place.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

For a long time, the only allowed gesture was to blindly and unquestioningly "respect" your flag, even if it represents the colonisation of your ancestors and continuing racism. Being able to take a knee is the least one can do to express there are issues. I don't know who said that, but there's this quote about how criticising your country is the highest form of patriotism. If you have a problem with that, you might want to ask yourself why.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

the IOC relaxed its rules this month to allow Olympic athletes to make such gestures of protest 

Let's be honest. The IOC has no plans to allow all political gestures. In reality, they only plan to allow a select few political messages which are already widely anticipated and endorsed by corporate sponsors. Anything falling outside of the sponsor's comfort zone will see the IOC immediately cancel their relaxation of the rules. For example, if all Arab/Muslim athletes were to come up with a gesture to protest the treatment of Palestinians by Israel, you can bet Rule 50 would be reinstated faster than Usain Bolt's 100m record.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

It's probably the least attention-seeking, intrusive, or offensive way to make their point, that I can think of at least. I can't see any problem with it.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

It's banned by the IOC,- or everyone will be protesting about everything. Play by the rules or be sent home, they most probably think they are exempt because they are British and therefore their inherent, pompous superiority attitude puts them above Japan.

Just take a deep bow Japanese style, everyone will appreciate that.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Why not just have a separate event for these protests?

Or put a stop to it now before it gets out of hand, as there is an endless list of issues people could protest.

If the protest occurs prior to the event, automatic disqualification, if it occurs afterward, same disqualification or loss of medal. Make the protest meaningful by making the protesters sacrifice for it.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

If the protest occurs prior to the event, automatic disqualification, if it occurs afterward, same disqualification or loss of medal. Make the protest meaningful by making the protesters sacrifice for it.

Soooo, punish players for protesting (peacefully) about racial injustice?

I would understand your point better if everyone went out with special T-shirts, horns, signs and chanting, but silently kneeling for 2-3 minutes? Really?

Also, no one as of yet has given me a situation when kneeling is considered disrespectful.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Respect for the flag. That's almost amusing, in the 21st century. A symbol that flew over distant lands. Imagine that: For exactly how and why such imposed itself on sovereign land.

Taking a knee, is an act of symbolism, that will be viewed via a broadcast, mostly by the athlete's country of origin and its opponent. No harm in that. And, indeed a kindhearted gesture in line with the co-called Olympic spirit. Bringing everyone together in a celebration of sport and solidarity. Acknowledging, there is suffering & inequity in the world.

Those who are prejudiced and take such a kindhearted gesture to a logical extreme are at best absurdist and more likely for less than admirable reason, defiant out of spite. Which is definitely not in the spirit of The Games.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Japan said don't kneel. It's their country, their rules. If you break them you should be sent home on the spot. If you don't like it, make your own olympics.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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