Tokyo, Japan - Athletes taking a knee will be shown on International Olympic Committee (IOC) platforms at the Tokyo Olympics from now on after the protest was not shown in first events.

It was also announced on Thursday that German women's field hockey player Nike Lorenz will be allowed to wear a rainbow-colored captain's armband during Olympic matches.

Players from five teams had taken a knee in the first women's soccer group games on Wednesday. The pictures were not shown in IOC content and in newsreels, which had led to some criticism.

But the IOC said footage "including the moments before the competition" was available for all rights holding broadcasters who can "use it as they deem fit" and can reach hundreds of millions of people in all territories of the world.

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It said the newsreels only cover the actual competition, but added "such moments will be included as well" in pictures on the platform it owns and operates.

The IOC is for the first time allowing athletes to express their personal feelings in Tokyo, with gestures such as taking a knee or raising a fist allowed shortly before the competition, as well as expressing themselves during interviews and on their social media channels.

Protests are not allowed at ceremonies including victory ceremonies or in the Olympic village, and offenders face sanctions including expulsion from the Games.

However, sports federations can veto such expressions, and the governing swim body FINA is not allowing any such gestures poolside at its Olympic events.

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The rules of the governing field hockey body have meanwhile made it possible for Lorenz to continue wearing her rainbow armband during Olympic matches, after a successful appeal from the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and its hockey federation.

"We are happy that we found a joint way to allow the hockey team to make a socio-political statement," DOSB president Alfons Hoermann said.

Lorenz has been using a rainbow-colored armband for months at Germany Games, including at the European championships.