IOC bans helmet worn by Ukrainian athlete, because the helmet contains pictures of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia.

[michaelmcwilliams@mas.to]

@randahl The IOC banned Russia from the Olympics. By doing so, they already made the Olympics political.

[ilka4you@mastodon.social]

@randahl also IOC: pls do not booh out Vance and ICE: Not political, huh?

[madsenandersc@social.vivaldi.net]

@randahl I'm torn on this one.

I would have loved for the helmet to be used, but I can see the risk in setting a precedent. I really don't need anyone wearing a helmet with Charlie Kirk on it, and that would probably have to be allowed as well, had they given the green light for this one.

If anything, the entire discussion has brought even more attention to the Ukrainians lost in this damned war, so let's take the win and accept that sometimes you have to limit things, or have to accept that other parties may abuse the hole you made in the wall, for something that you really don't agree with.

[taatm@mathstodon.xyz]

@randahl
Everything is political.

To say ‘no politics’ is actually a strong political statement for the status quo.

Same for neutrality.

[chrisholladay@mastodon.social]

@randahl
Fk the IOC
They are complicit in murder.
Ukraine now
Los Angeles later

[tootbrute@fedi.arkadi.one]

@randahl ioc is shit. Funny how others just realizing it.

They make taiwan compete as Chinese Taipei. Utter garbage.

IOC is the one playing politics.

[wesdym@mastodon.social]

@randahl And where would it stop? If Russia participates, can they do the same? Or do we only disdain rules meant to guard the neutrality of the games when it involves people we like?

[randahl@mastodon.social]

@rhempel I especially like how the producer cut to JD Vance in the opening ceremony, and then immediately cut away, because people started booing, and we cannot have the people's opinion overshadowing the glamorous presence of the VP.

[randahl@mastodon.social]

@madsenandersc I think that is a very interesting and nuanced point, Anders.

The challenge is, the IOC is not a democratic organisation, and I find it deeply problematic that they get to decide this on their own. With what mandate might I ask?

[randahl@mastodon.social]

@taatm there is a reason Russians have been conditioned to always say, "I am apolitical".

That is what dictators want.

[randahl@mastodon.social]

@ChrisHolladay I wonder if the world will even come to LA. Would any team from South America or Africa want to go to a country their fans cannot freely enter and walk around in?

[randahl@mastodon.social]

@wesdym fair point. But Russia was excluded.