Mental health has been a discussion in sports the past year but became the topic of these Olympics when gymnast Simone Biles chose self-care over sporting success.

(AP Photo/File)For generations, the IOC knew exactly where to look for key support of its ban against protests at the Olympics. “That becomes a difficult situation,” said Harry Edwards, the activist who helped brainstorm the gestures by Smith and Carlos 52 years ago. American athletes have been reeling from a summer of unrest over police violence against Black people in the United States. The Olympics are a behemoth that counts America as only one of 206 countries who are members. “And what today reflects is that this generation of athletes is more than willing to do their part.”

GENEVA Amid a global wave of demonstrations against racism, the IOC said Wednesday it would open talks that could let athletes make stronger protests at the Olympic Games. In other business Wednesday: A princess, a former head of state, the son of a former prime minister and two 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medalists were recommended for IOC membership. A third woman proposed for membership, Maria Colon of Cuba, took javelin gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. A decision on whether to confirm four additional sports proposed for the 2024 Paris Olympics will be taken in December as scheduled, despite the Tokyo Olympics being postponed to 2021. Any weightlifting official implicated in financial corruption and doping cover-ups at the sports governing body will be denied accreditation for the Tokyo Olympics.