Explainer-Are athletes at Milano-Cortina Games free to express themselves?

MILAN, Jan 31 : While Italians took to the streets of Milan on Saturday to demonstrate against the presence of U.S. ICE agents in their country, athletes will have to stick to a tight set of rules if they want to express personal views during the Winter Olympics. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel will help protect American delegations at the Milano Cortina Games when they open next week, and their planned presence has caused a political uproar in Italy.  

ARE ATHLETES FREE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES AT THE OLYMPICS?

Athletes can express their views during the Winter Games but there are a number of restrictions set by the International Olympic Committee designed to keep the extravaganza and its athletes focused on the sporting competitions and away from controversial political issues.

Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter states: "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."

WHY DOES RULE 50.2 EXIST?

The IOC says the focus during the Games should only be on the sporting achievement and the competitions. Other issues would only detract from what was happening on the field of play, while also making the co-existence of athletes from more than 200 nations more difficult. It is a fundamental principle of the IOC that the Olympic Games remain politically neutral.

WHERE CAN ATHLETES EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS?

Athletes can raise issues that are of interest or concern to them at any of the Games press conferences, mixed zones, team meetings, interviews or on social media. 

They can also do it on the field of play prior to their competition as long as it does not violate the Olympic charter on discrimination. Participants are expected to respect their