As the Paralympic Games kick off in Paris on 28 August, an unusual rule will prevent athletes from showcasing Olympic ring tattoos on their bodies. While competing in the Paralympics is an achievement many commemorate with a tattoo, showing these symbols could lead to serious consequences for the athletes.

This situation arises from a peculiar rule enforced by the IPC, which prohibits athletes from "body advertising." Unlike the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which oversees the Olympic Games and whose logo includes the iconic five-ring symbol created by Pierre de Coubertin in 1913, the IPC has its own guidelines. 

Under these rules, Olympic ring tattoos are classified as body advertising, requiring athletes to cover them to compete without facing penalties. This was a lesson learned the hard way by British Paralympian swimmer Josef Craig before the 2016 Rio Games when he was penalised for not covering his Olympic rings tattoo on his chest.

The incident occurred at the IPC Swimming European Championships in Portugal, where Craig, who has cerebral palsy, was disqualified from the S8 100m freestyle competition despite winning his heat. The IPC defended its decision, emphasising that athletes are made aware of the rule in advance.

A spokesperson explained, “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. It wasn’t as if they had not been reminded about the rules.”