Consider that many American athletes have protested against police brutality and racism since August 2016 by taking a knee during the playing of the U.S. national anthem (Colin Kaepernick sparked this trend). The IOC (International Olympic Committee) bans such protests in its charter. Rule 50 states: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”

Also note that many U.S. sports organizations have begun playing the Black national anthem prior to start of a game and many athletes or teams have either taken a knee or retreated to the locker room during the playing of both anthems.

Now consider Abad’s claim:

“A third group of cases of unsporting behaviour are cases like these: not shaking hands after the match; constant complaining; lack of generosity and grace; humiliating the opponent; badmouthing the opponent at press conferences; being a poor loser; or being a poor winner. Such behaviour is neither unfair nor inequitable, as it is not about gaining unacceptable advantages, all the more so as such behaviour is often displayed after the match has ended. This is simply bad form or dishonourable…” (p.31).

Questions

1. Is taking a knee during the anthem a political demonstration that should be banned from all sport, or just professional sport? Explain why athletes’ protesting during the anthem should or should not be banned, making sure to address the point that athletes are not engaging in such protest as part of the game, while addressing what you think should be the aim or responsibility of sports organizations.

2. Do you consider athletes standing for both the Black national anthem and the mainstream U.S. anthem an act of protest? Why or why not? Should all American sports play both anthems prior to the start of their games? Explain why or why not, ensuring that your answer respectfully engages with the issue of social justice to explain whether or not professional sports competitions are appropriate places to agitate for justice.

3. Now consider Abad’s claim about sportsmanship. Does taking a knee demonstrate poor sporting behaviour? Explain, making sure to engage with Abad’s view as thoroughly as possible by developing your view on whether or not taking a knee is bad form or dishonourable. Ensure that your answer engages with a view of athletes’ characters or behaviours, and not the responsibilities or aims of sports organizations.