Adam hopes to take the knee in Tokyo
Adam Gemili believes the Tokyo Olympics will bring the world together in 2021 and is hopeful athletes will be allowed to take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The 32nd summer Games would have been due to finish today had the event not been pushed back a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Since the International Olympic Committee confirmed that decision in March, a number of sports have encouraged athletes to stand up in the fight against inequality.
George Floyd’s death in May resulted in global protests, with Premier League players and international cricketers in England taking a knee in recent months.
The Olympic Games has witnessed athletes make a stand before, with American runners John Carlos and Tommie Smith notably raising their fist in a Black Power salute at Mexico City in 1968, but Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter prohibits athletes from protesting at the Games.
Great Britain sprinter Gemili said: “I understand what Rule 50 is, which is against all political protests, but taking a knee is a bit more than political in the grand scheme of things with everything happening in the world.
“I think a lot of federations and a lot of Olympic committees like the British Olympic Association, have said they won’t be punishing any athletes and I know a lot of other nations have that mentality as well.
“For the IOC and for next year out in Toyko, I don’t see how they could (punish athletes), because I believe a lot of athletes will use their platform and their voice to speak out and make a difference.
“You remember all those protests on the podium which is great.”