Throughout the generations the IOC knew exactly they could get key support in case people tried to protest the Olympics. Now, it’s a a different story. Here are the highlights:

• For 1968, the U.S. Olympic Committee sent home its own athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, when they raised their fists at the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Games.
• The same organization repeated this when Gwen Berry took a stand and she got suspended after her win at the Pan-Am Games.
• However, this the American federation let it be known they’re aren’t when it comes to enforcing the contentious Rule 50.
• The USOPC is now showing that they won’t punish its own athletes from kneeling or raising fists peacefully at the Olympics.
• CEO Sarah Hirshalnd says she has to make the right decisions being in that position.  And she believes “we’re on the right side of history.”
• There are some finer details to work out, such as what athletes can protest about and how?
• Of course, this is a tough situation.
• With racial and social issues being more in the forefront as of recently, more sports leagues want to give their athletes a chance to express themselves.
• On an Olympic scale, the USA is just one of 206 countries being represented.
• While it’s a struggle, this something that’ll help the overall character of the games in the long run.