Olympic athletes promised legal support if they protest, kneel The pledges came one day after the IOC confirmed its ban on “demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda” on the field of play, medal podiums or official ceremonies Loading the player... Athletes who make political or social justice protests at the Tokyo Olympics were promised legal support Thursday by a global union and an activist group in Germany. The pledges came one day after the International Olympic Committee confirmed its long-standing ban on “demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda” on the field of play, medal podiums or official ceremonies.