Commonwealth Games: Athletes allowed to protest about social injustice at Birmingham 2022

Athletes at Birmingham 2022 will be allowed to show their support and protest for issues such as LGBT+rights and racial equality

Athletes will be able to protest against social injustice at this summer's Commonwealth Games.

Competitors at Birmingham 2022 will be able to raise a fist to protest in favour of racial equality and wave Pride flags in support of LGBT+ rights.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) will support athletes who want to highlight issues such as race, sexual orientation and social injustice.

This contrasts with the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) 'Rule 50'.

'Rule 50' of the Olympic charter aims to stop protests and demonstrations in order to "protect the neutrality of sport and the Olympic Games", however it was relaxed for Tokyo 2020.

The CGF has released 'Athlete Advocacy Guiding Principles' for the Commonwealth Games which will permit athletes to protest on the podium by making "positive expressions of their values".

"It is the belief of the CGF that athlete advocacy and activism humanises, rather than politicises, sport," CGF president Dame Louise Martin said.

CGF chief executive Katie Sadleir told BBC Sport: "This athlete advocacy framework is about recognising that athletes are inspirational agents of change and they have the right to express themselves.

"The Games provides that opportunity, as long as they do it within the code of conduct. It's not about athletes disrupting competition or being disrespectful.

"But it is providing an opportunity if they wish to make a stance on something while they are on the podium or in the [Athletes'] village."

The Commonwealth Games will be held in Birmingham between 28 July and 8 August.