The 141st IOC Session will be held in Mumbai next month, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has stated its proposals to alter the Olympic Charter regarding pledges to human rights.
The IOC also changed Rule 40, allowing competitors to exercise their right to free speech consistent with Olympic ideals and the Fundamental Principles of Olympicism. In addition, the IOC made it a requirement for competitors to respect and abide by the Olympic Charter, the World Anti-Doping Code, and the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of Manipulation of Competitions.
The first suggestion proposes to add extra language to Fundamental Principles of Olympism 1 and 4 to express an overall commitment to respect for human rights. The Legal Affairs Commission’s efforts and collaboration with the Advisory Committee on Human Rights led to the creation of the proposal.
Additionally, the IOC intends to harmonize the Olympic Charter with the Guidelines on Athlete Expression, which were unveiled by the IOC Executive Board on April 21, 2021, and successfully implemented at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, respectively.
All athletes, team officials, and other members of the team at the Olympic Games shall have the right to freedom of expression in accordance with the Olympic ideals, the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, and the Guidelines decided by the IOC Executive Board, according to the proposed additional language to Rule 40.
Additionally, it makes it mandatory for competitors, team officials, and other members of the team to respect and abide by the Olympic Charter, the World Anti-Doping Code, and the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of Manipulation of Competitions, including the requirements for participation set forth by the IOC, as well as the rules of the relevant IF as approved by the IOC.