IOC Confirms It Will Take ‘Common Sense’ Approach To Tattoos In Rio

In the wake of last week’s news concerning the disqualification of Josef Craig at the IPC Swimming European Open Championships due to an Olympic rings tattoo, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reassured Rio-bound athletes that their symbolic tattoos are indeed safe.

While competing in Funchal, Portugal, Craig was deemed disqualified for his tattoo composed of a lion with Olympic rings due to the IPC rule stating that ‘body advertisements are not allowed in any way whatsoever (this includes tattoos and symbols)’. This led to speculation that other athletes with tattoos including Olympic rings would be at risk of disqualification at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

However, last Friday the IOC said this would not be the case. An IOC spokesman told the press that Olympic athletes with tattoos are “unlikely to be barred from the Rio Games.”

While any tattoos that advertise a product will need to be covered up via blank tape or patches, athletes at the main Games will be allowed to show others. (Reuters)

Said the IOC spokesman, “The [IOC] president is always excited to see athletes with the Olympic Rings. Standing alone, the Olympic Rings are a great expression of appreciation of the Olympic Games and of the Olympic values.”

“We take a common sense approach to tattoos, whatever they are,” he said of the IOC’s intentions in Rio.

As for Josef Craig, however, IPC spokesman Craig Spence indicated that the paraswimmer’s DQ would still apply at the Paralympic Games in Rio. “He would have to cover it up as he did for the remainder of the competition last week”, Spence said.

We previously reported that USA Swimming Assistant Executive Director Mike Unger indicated that Olympic ring tattoos will not pose any issues at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials next month.

“This is really an issue for the U.S. Olympic Committee, which owns the U.S. Olympic Trials – Swimming,” Unger stated. “However, we have had conversations with the USOC on this topic, and the USOC does not intend to pursue this as an issue (meaning…no DQs).”

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Kevin
7 years ago

Para “Olympics” *

Kevin
7 years ago

Ummm Olympic Rings on a paraswimmer? The Olympic Rings are for people who compete at the olympics. Para only pics has a different logo!!!
Just sayin!

Matt
7 years ago

Stuff like this is why swimming will never become an ESPN sport like baseball or others…

Admin
Reply to  Matt
7 years ago

Matt – I think that might not be an accurate representation of what drives ESPN decision-making. This controversy has generated a lot of attention, a lot of discussion…in general, ESPN airwaves thrives on controversies like this.

Swimarko
7 years ago

It’s tattoo of Olympic rings and a lion- official logo of Team GB used since 1999 by the British Olympic Association. So, he’s proud of nationality na proud representer… at least I thing so if he got tattoo for life! I actually got an tattoo myself as well at Sydney olympics 2000, as it was huge there among swimmers- I remember at least 5 of 8 swimmers got it from my team.

Swim dad
7 years ago

Maybe the IPC official could stop being such a numpty and apply common sense …something which seems lacking here . The Olympics is probably the highest competition that any athlete aspires for …its hardly an advert just a showing of being a proud member of small band of people that are good enough to compete in that competition. If it was a massive Arena or Speedo tattoo then by all means apply the rule …

Irish Ringer
7 years ago

The tattoo thing has gone way overboard. Scarring your body for life with a picture of a dragon doesn’t seem like the brightest idea to me. I can see the Olympic rings, but no fan of covering oneself like Ervin.

Former Swimmer with Tattoos
Reply to  Irish Ringer
7 years ago

It’s a personal choice- what might not seem like a “bright idea” to you might be someone else’s dream, which you have absolutely no say in or control over, as it should be. It’s their body and their choice. I’ve got a nice decently sized tattoo that I got out of respect for my teammates and this sport.

Also, it’s not “scarring your body for life”- it’s an art form, it’s technically coverable or somewhat removable, and it’s really not a scar because it’s ink globules inserted beneath the dermal layers.

Irish Ringer
Reply to  Former Swimmer with Tattoos
7 years ago

Relax, it’s an opinion. Nothing more nothing less. If a tattoo is a dream of someone I say aim a little higher. Last I checked it wasn’t very hard to get one.

NAME
Reply to  Irish Ringer
7 years ago

Just because you can say something doesn’t mean you should.

Jeff Kuta
Reply to  Irish Ringer
7 years ago

Usually a tattoo of the Olympic Rings means that person competed at the Olympics. Aim higher? That’s the pinnacle.

Ferb
Reply to  Irish Ringer
7 years ago

I’m sure Ervin will make note of your opinion.

Reply to  Irish Ringer
7 years ago

Mom??? Is that you??

Irish Ringer
Reply to  Lauren Neidigh
7 years ago

Yes, and make sure you honor me with a tattoo 🙂

Vaughn Bryant
7 years ago

Maybe all those old folks who said “you’ll never be able to get a decent job with all those tattoos” could have been right.

Former Swimmer with Tattoos
Reply to  Vaughn Bryant
7 years ago

I’m sick and tired of this argument- times change, there are plenty of well respected employees and employers that have tattoos. It’s not that taboo anymore to have ink on your body.

Lane Four
Reply to  Former Swimmer with Tattoos
7 years ago

Speaking as one of those people who couldn’t stand tats, I admit that some look really good. But the bottom line is that the tattoos are on someone else’s body and not mine and therefore, I don’t have a vote. But I DO love the Olympic rings tattoo. It speaks volumes just seeing it.

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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