Featured Image Credit: Simon Wright/GB Swimstars/Ian MacNicol / Contributor
Topics: Olympics, Sport, Paralympics
Gerrard Kaonga
Topics: Olympics, Sport, Paralympics
Athletes could see their Paralympic journey come to a swift end if they fail to abide this one often overlooked rule about competing.
After a brilliantly entertaining Paris Olympics, much of that excitement has carried over to the Paralympics which are set to get underway from August 28 to September 8.
But athletes should be aware of one of the rules that could see them benched and unable to compete.
When it comes to the Paralympics or Olympics for that matter, it makes perfect sense to have a whole host of rules.
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You don’t want someone to have an unfair advantage after all, but one thing you really wouldn’t think would be an issue is body art.
Well, at least in the Paralympics it can be an issue. In fact, back in 2016, it disqualified Team GB swimmer Josef Craig.
When he competed at the IPC Swimming European Championships in Portugal, the then 19-year-old was disqualified from the final of the men's S8 100m final freestyle after a good performance.
So, what is the rule? Well it's important to note that the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are a completely different organization from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). So what might be in the Olympics might not be allowed in the Paralympics, so it is definitely easy to get caught out.
The IPC has firm rules on body advertising, and this extends to having the Olympic rings tattooed on your body.
I would be furious if I am a world-class athlete and they say I can't do my event because I have an Olympic rings tattoo. Wild stuff.
Back in 2016 when it came to Craig's disqualification, the IPC defended the decision and issued a statement.
They said: "Body advertising is not allowed in any way whatsoever and that includes the Olympic rings... the athlete did not wear a cover and was therefore disqualified.
"All teams are informed of the advertising policy at a technical meeting prior to competition so it wasn't as if they had not been reminded about the rules."
So let's hope there aren't any Paralympians with any banned tattoos or they might have sit this one out.
And to all the athletes about to compete for their countries in Paris next week, make sure you are following all the rules because it is a long wait until the Los Angeles Olympics.