{"id":445545,"date":"2020-09-02T08:25:09","date_gmt":"2020-09-02T15:25:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=445545"},"modified":"2020-09-02T13:45:43","modified_gmt":"2020-09-02T20:45:43","slug":"la-2028-unveils-logo-celebrating-diversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/la-2028-unveils-logo-celebrating-diversity\/","title":{"rendered":"LA 2028 Unveils Logo Celebrating Diversity"},"content":{"rendered":"

The LA 2028 planning committee introduced its logo earlier this week, according to a report from the Associated Press<\/em><\/a>. The “A” in the logo is designed to show up in almost any color, shape or configuration as a way of representing the diversity of the LA community.<\/p>\n

A dynamic logo is a first-of-its-kind attempt, one being unveiled by an Olympic organization that still has nearly eight years before its games take place<\/a>. The Chairman of LA 2028,\u00a0Casey Wasserman\u00a0<\/strong>says that showcasing the diversity of the city of Los Angeles is as important now more than ever.<\/p>\n

Wasserman has sent a letter to IOC President Thomas Bach<\/strong> outlining his position and the need for reform of Rule 50<\/a>, which bans protests on the medals stand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI urge president Bach to be both thoughtful and aggressive in moving toward that result.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the rule probably exists for a reason, the times are different and, I think, (the rule) requires adjusting, which allows for anti-racist speech within the Olympic and Paralympic platform,\u201d Wasserman said.<\/p>\n

Rule 50 has not sat well with fellow Olympic athletes who are training for the upcoming Tokyo Games in 325 days. A group of American athletes, led by 1968 Olympian\u00a0John Carlos,<\/strong> published a letter to the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee in June urging the abolition of IOC Charter Rule 50.<\/p>\n

From the letter<\/a>:<\/p>\n

We are now at a crossroads. The IOC and IPC cannot continue on the path of punishing or removing athletes who speak up for what they believe in, especially when those beliefs exemplify the goals of Olympism. Instead, sports administrators must begin the responsible task of transparent collaboration with athletes and athlete groups (including independent athlete groups) to reshape the future of athlete expression at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Let us work together to create a new structure that celebrates athletes who speak about issues in alignment with human rights and the 7 principles of Olympism.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
2016 Olympic Champ\u00a0Anthony Ervin<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>told\u00a0Swimming World,\u00a0<\/em>it “would not fly” to silence the athletes. Although due to the athletes willingness to speak out on the rule, the international federations have re-considered their stance<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Race relations in the summer of 2020 have sparked calls for changes in the United States, as many US swimmers have used their voices to lead the call for change including Olympic medalists \u00a0Simone Manuel<\/strong><\/a> and Lia Neal<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and national champion Reece Whitley<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n
The Olympics have long been one of slowest to move on social issues but Bach has convened a working group of athletes to discuss Rule 50, according to the AP.<\/p>\n
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A post shared by LA 2028 (@la28games)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n