USOC Applies IOC’s Apparel & Equipment Rules to the US Olympic Trials

The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) sent out a reminder about appropriate apparel and equipment for the upcoming Olympic Trials in Omaha. This is an event property owned by the USOC, not USA Swimming, and apparel and equipment rules and expectations will mirror those set out by the International Olympic Committee which will be in place at the Rio Olympic Games in August.

Below are the specific rules that will be set out for the upcoming Olympic Trials, which are listed in the USOC’s letter.

  • Swimsuits: One Identification of the suit manufacturer will be permitted, to a maximum size of 30 cm² (one manufacturer mark may be located above the waist and one manufacturer mark below the waist on women’s suits will be permitted). No corporate advertising logos permitted.
  • Swim Cap: One identification of the manufacturer will be permitted, to a maximum size of 20 cm² and placed on the front of the cap.
  • Goggles: Two identifications of the manufacturer per item will be permitted, to a maximum size of 6 cm² each.
  • Clothing: One identification of the manufacturer per clothing item will be permitted, when worn, to a maximum size of 30 cm². One additional product technology identification will be permitted per clothing item, to a maximum size of 10 cm².
  • Socks: One identification of the manufacturer will be permitted, to a maximum size of 6 cm².
  • Towel/Bottle: No identification of the manufacturer will be permitted

The USOC adds a note about swim club identification, saying that swimmers can wear swim caps with their club logos on them “provided the club is in good standing with USA Swimming.” In addition, “under no circumstance can corporate identification other than that of a swim cap manufacturer or of your USOC and USA Swimming approved club team name be visible on the swim cap or undercap while in the pool or on the deck surface.”

Any violations of the above rules could end in a swimmer’s disqualification from the meet.

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Joel Lin
8 years ago

So basically everything Under Armour makes is out.

2swim2
8 years ago

Isn’t this a little late in the game to be making this announcement?? Presumably swimmers would already have their gear in hand as the meet is only 10 days away. I hope this is just a reminder & not new information.

CoachGB
Reply to  Karl Ortegon
8 years ago

It is nothing new. This has been around for years.

2swim2
Reply to  Karl Ortegon
8 years ago

Thanks. I had not looked at original date

TAA
8 years ago

The USOC needs to share their advertising/sponsor revenue with the swimmers or else change the rules. I think as we get more post grad swimmers we will see some changes.

dmswim
8 years ago

So athletes can’t walk around with a Gatorade water bottle or a Speedo towel? That seems a bit ridiculous.

About Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon studied sociology at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, graduating in May of 2018. He began swimming on a club team in first grade and swam four years for Wesleyan.

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