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With athlete activism on the rise, and protest guidelines in flux, Olympians could play a larger role than ever in shaping the narrative around the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics — which have come under heavy scrutiny due to China’s human rights abuses.The state of play: The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced in December that it would no longer prohibit athletes from “peacefully and respectfully demonstrating in support of racial and social justice for all human beings.”Support safe, smart, sane journalism. Sign up for Axios Newsletters here.This goes against Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which prohibits athletes from demonstrating in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas (but not in press conferences, team meetings or via media).In response to the USOPC’s decision, the IOC — which controls all 206 National Olympic Committees — is now reviewing Rule 50, with an announcement expected in the next few months.What they’re saying: “The IOC Athletes’ Commission has launched a dialogue with the athletes’ representatives of the world … to explore different ways of how Olympic athletes can express their support for the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter … whilst respecting the Olympic spirit,” the IOC told Axios in a statement. American fencer Race Imboden kneels during the medal ceremony at the 2019 Pan American Games. Photo: Leonardo Fernandez/Getty ImagesThe backdrop: The USOPC placed fencer Race Imboden and hammer thrower Gwen Berry on probation after they knelt and raised a fist during their medal ceremonies at the 2019 Pan American Games. It has since apologized.The IOC can bar athletes from the Games or strip them of their medals for protesting, though NOCs have historically doled out the punishments.When Tommie Smith and John Carlos famously raised their fists at the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City, the USOPC — not the IOC — expelled them.The bottom line: The nationwide protests last summer saw athletes speak out in new ways, and caused a chain reaction that is now playing out internationally — just in time for back-to-back Olympics in Tokyo and Beijing.Go deeper: Boycott threat clouds 2022 Beijing OlympicsGet smarter, faster with the news CEOs, entrepreneurs and top politicians read. Sign up for Axios Newsletters here.

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Hege Riise, England Women’s interim head coach, has named a youthful 20-player squad and omitted several senior players for the international friendly with Northern Ireland on February 23, overlooking Arsenal forward Beth Mead and Atletico Madrid’s Toni Duggan. Riise, a former World Cup winner as a player with Norway, said Mead had not been selected because her “player report hasn’t been that great”. Lyon forward Nikita Parris was picked for the squad by Riise, but was not released by the French side because of Covid-19 protocols. The match with Northern Ireland will be England’s first in nearly a year as they have not played since losing to Spain last March because of issues relating to the pandemic. From the squad of 23 players that reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2019, only 11 players remain for February’s camp for various reasons, with focus turning to preparations for the Women’s European Championships — hosted in England — in 2022 as well as this summer’s Olympics. Experienced players including Lyon striker Jodie Taylor, 34, and goalkeepers Carly Telford, 33, and Karen Bardsley, 36, are not involved, nor is Manchester United’s first-choice shot-stopper Mary Earps, 27. Instead England’s three chosen goalkeepers, Ellie Roebuck, Sandy MacIver and Hannah Hampton, have an average age of 21 and a combined total of five senior caps. “Getting a young group of goalkeepers coming in together, I think there will be less pressure and hopefully it will be enjoyable for them to create that group and grow in the role. They are playing every week for their clubs and that matters when you’re going into an Olympic tournament,” Riise said. MacIver and Hampton are among four uncapped players in Riise’s squad, alongside Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy and Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone. Manchester United manager Casey Stoney said she was “quite surprised” that Toone was not joined by any other members of her side in the national squad, with United second in the Women’s Super League table. The squad has an average age of 25 and an average of 37 caps, with only 12 players to have appeared 10 times or more at senior international level. Jill Scott, the Manchester City midfielder who is on loan to Everton, is in line to make her 750th appearance for England, with Riise adding: “That’s a major achievement so of course if everything goes like we plan, she will get the cap against Northern Ireland.” Excluding Scott, almost half of the squad play for Manchester City (nine) and their young wingers Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp have both been called up following their impressive recent performances, including their form in front of goal as City won 2-1 at Arsenal on Sunday. Riise did not rule out a recall for Mead later this season, adding: “Her player report hasn’t been that great, and for me now to narrow the squad, it makes her out, but if she performs every week then we’ll see. Arsenal had many games postponed so that was a challenge also.” Former United States assistant coach Riise, 51, has stepped up as head coach for February’s camp following the early exit of former head coach Phil Neville, who will be replaced by Holland manager Sarina Wiegman from September. The Football Association are yet to decide whether Riise will take charge as head coach for this summer’s Olympics in Tokyo, but a decision will be made after February’s international window. Asked if she would like the head coach job for the Olympics, Riise replied: “I am comfortable that we will settle this after the February camp and have a good discussion on that going forward.” Riise, who is yet to travel to England but will arrive ahead of the training camp next week, lifted world, European and Olympic titles with Norway as they enjoyed a dominant era at the end of the 20th century. England’s full squad Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Birmingham City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City) and Sandy MacIver (Everton). Defenders: Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City) and Leah Williamson (Arsenal). Midfielders: Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Jill Scott (Everton), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Kiera Walsh (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City). Forwards: Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Bethany England (Chelsea), Ellen White (Manchester City), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City).

A switch-hitter who plays primarily second base and shortstop, Villar is a career .259/.327/.400 hitter in eight seasons with the Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, Marlins, and Blue Jays.

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