"Support Our Troops" Slogan Banned at Olympics

The International Ice Hockey Federation is insisting that U.S. ice hockey goalie Jonathan Quick remove or obscure a "Support Our Troops" sticker on his helmet. They say the Olympic rules ban political propaganda.

Ryan Miller has also been told to remove the slogan “Miller Time” from his helmet while the third American netminder Tim Thomas had already placed a sticker over a slogan on his mask for the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

IOC rules forbid political propoganda or advertisements being placed on equipment. “If the players don’t agree with the interpretation they can ask the USOC (United States Olympic Committee) to petition the IOC.”

Miller said he had agreed to remove “Miller Time”, which is also a popular beer company slogan, but might fight to keep “Matt Man”, a tribute to a dead friend from being taken off his helmet.

Some confusion about the political propaganda ban, though, is leading to grumbles from the players and fans. While insisting that "Support Our Troops" is impermissible, the IIHF has been mum so far on some traditional symbols of American propaganda, which will remain on the sides of Miller's helmet ("Miller Time" was on the back):

Apparently, players and the team are still discussing what to do or whether to appeal the instruction from IIHF. U.S. hockey's first game is against Switzerland later today.

posted by Gabriel Malor at 11:18 AM

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