This week, five Norwegian athletes joined in Amnesty's campaign to free Chinese dissidents, despite a general belief that they were obliged to keep quiet.
The five athletes agreed to be pictured together with prominent Chinese dissenters in Amnesty campaign posters reading: "HOPE FOR OLYMPIC GOLD [over the photo of the athlete] ... HOPE FOR FREEDOM [over the photo of the jailed dissident].
Norwegian law firm Kleven, Steen, and Kristensen has now clarified just what the Norwegian athletes’ rights are, and what they are permitted to do in terms of political expression.
Athletes are required to refrain from actively expressing their political viewpoints during the Olympic games. However, they are allowed to elucidate on their political feelings if directly questioned by a journalist.
Proclamations and use of banners are forbidden during the opening ceremony and prize-giving ceremonies.
This means any kind of political expression on the winner’s platforms are strictly out of the question...
...but the question remains—will any athletes defy these regulations?
