An IOC panel which represents athletes at the Olympics said athletes must refrain from staging any kind of protests at Olympic venues. Some athletes have suggested wearing arm bands or badges, but those too have been dismissed.

“We respect their independence and the right to express yourself, but we are not going to sacrifice the Olympic venues for that right,” U.S. member Bob Ctvrtlik said. “Let us not destroy the clean venues.”

Athletes must abide by the Olympic charter.

“We see that someone wants to use athletes and try to put them to political issues. Our strength is staying separate and out of political issues,” chairman Sergei Bubka said. “There are a lot of different conflicts around the world. If you let them get in [the Olympic venues] you can destroy the movement.”

Read more: Athletes’ group says Beijing is not the place for campaigns