British Women’s Football Team Vows to Kneel for BLM at Tokyo Olympics

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(AP) — The British girls’s soccer crew will take a knee earlier than kickoff at the Tokyo Olympics.

The gamers have been performing the anti-racism stance with their separate groups over the past yr and the IOC relaxed its guidelines this month to permit Olympic athletes to make such gestures of protest within the area of play at the Tokyo Games.

“It is the people that don’t have a voice that we are standing up for,” mentioned Britain defender Demi Stokes, who has spoken beforehand about being racially abused. “We know we’ve a giant half to play. It’s essential we use our platforms to assist in any means we are able to.

“We want to show to everyone this is something serious. It’s still happening. What a way to do it, on an Olympic stage.”

The resolution was made after a crew assembly earlier than flying to Japan. The 4 nations that kind Britain often play soccer as separate groups internationally however they’re allowed to compete at the Olympics, qualifying by way of England’s run to the 2019 Women’s World Cup semifinals.

“I feel lucky to be part of a group that wants change to stop racism, discrimination and stand in solidarity with those who have been affected,” Britain ahead Ellen White mentioned in a video name from Japan. “This whole group had the same message and we want to try to help that change in taking the knee. I feel really positive that us doing that will promote change.”

Police have mentioned that graffiti sprayed on a mural of Marcus Rashford after the England soccer participant missed a penalty within the Euro 2020 finals in opposition to Italy is “not believed to be of a racial nature”, contradicting BBC reporting https://t.co/A25MlasktR

— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) July 17, 2021

The Olympics begin subsequent week with Britain opening its group-stage marketing campaign in opposition to Chile in Sapporo after which taking part in host Japan and Canada and Chile.

“Unfortunately, it’s not easy for people to live freely based on the colour of their skin, the sex they choose to be or the people they choose to be with in life,” goalkeeper Carly Telford mentioned. “It’s a huge opportunity to show the world that people can be who they want.”

England’s males took a knee earlier than all of their video games at the European Championship, though some followers and politicians publicly disagreed with them.

“We are clear that taking the knee is an important symbol of peaceful protest against discrimination, injustice and inequality in society and we are glad that the IOC have acknowledged the importance of this form of freedom of expression,” Britain coach Hege Riise mentioned.

“We will do so with the utmost respect for our fellow competitors, officials and the IOC, with due regard for the ideals that lie at the heart of the Olympic movement.”

Britain has opted for three captains by way of the event to symbolize the three nations within the squad: Steph Houghton (England), Sophie Ingle (Wales) and Kim Little (Scotland).