US Olympians and Paralympians WILL be allowed to protest on the medal stand as USOPC changes its rules 52 years after sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos famously raised fists The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee heeded calls from American athletes by announcing Thursday that it won't sanction them for protesting It's a response to recommendations from US athletes who seek changes to the much-maligned rule prohibiting inside-the-lines protests at the Games It was this rule that most famously led to the ouster of medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos from the 1968 Olympics after they raised their fists in protest The USOPC's CEO, Sarah Hirshland, said she expects criticism from the IOC and others, but 'we can't walk the walk as a movement if we don't look at this issue'