Athletes at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham will be allowed to protest and make gestures related to social justice causes.
Organisers have released a new set of principles, which permits competitors to take a knee or display a relevant symbol.
Indigenous or Pride flags will also be allowed, allowing athletes to carry them during victory laps.
Protests targeting specific organisations or featuring hate messages will not be permitted.
Over 4,500 athletes are expected in Birmingham in July of this year, marking the first Commonwealth Games since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the announcement of the Athlete Advocacy Guiding Principles on Wednesday, Commonwealth Games Federation president Louise Martin explained the body's reasoning.
“It is the belief of the Commonwealth Games Federation that athlete advocacy and activism humanises, rather than politicises, sport,” Martin said.
“I am proud of our approach to help strengthen the athlete voice.
"We want to encourage the positive, not police the negative.”
Notably, these principles represent a move away from Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter that states that “no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas".
At last year's Olympic Games in Tokyo, however, these rules were relaxed, allowing competitors to make political statements and expressions, as long as their actions did not disrupt the event.
The Commonwealth Games takes place in Birmingham from July 28 to August 8.
