Tokyo 2020 – 'We are here to set a precedent' - Team GB defender Lotte Wubben-Moy on knee protest

ByBen Snowball

Updated 22/07/2021 at 09:38 GMT

“The IOC don’t want these images going viral, but that won’t stop us from spreading the message. Team GB is here to set a president for love and respect, for all,” said Wubben-Moy after Team GB delivered a statement on the opening day of Olympic competition in Tokyo. Team GB won their opening match 2-0 against Chile to leave them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stage.

Team GB defender Lotte Wubben-Moy says the football team are "here to set a precedent" after making their stand against racism.

Britain created Olympic history before their opening match at Tokyo 2020 by taking the knee – the first protest on the field of play within IOC rules.

The IOC relaxed regulations on displays of activism ahead of the Games, amending its controversial ‘Rule 50’ to allow athletes to make a stand before their events, on social media and in interviews.

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However, athletes will still be punished if their protest extends into competition, on the podium, in the Olympic Village or during the opening and closing ceremonies.

“We won’t stand for hate, discrimination or racism,” said Wubben-Moy, who missed out on Hege Riise's 18-strong squad for the game, on Twitter.

“The IOC don’t want these images going viral, but that won’t stop us from spreading the message. Team GB is here to set a president for love and respect, for all.”

Wubben-Moy was referencing reporting from The Guardian, which said the IOC had told Tokyo 2020 social teams not to post images of athletes taking the knee. But this morning,

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GB swept Chile aside 2-0 to win their opening match with Ellen White scoring both goals.

"As players in Great Britain we've been taking the knee in club and international matches and we felt strongly as a group that we wanted to show support for those affected by discrimination and equality," said captain Steph Houghton after the match.

"It was a proud moment because the Chile players took the knee too to show how united we are as sport."

Chile followed GB’s example by also taking the knee, while USA and Sweden followed suit ahead of the latter’s stunning 3-0 win.

Tokyo 2020 - Ellen White doubles Team GB lead against Chile

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