The Paralympic Committee decided that athletes would no longer have to hide their tattoos of the Olympic rings.
As reported by the New York Times, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) modified its long-standing rule requiring Paralympic participants to cover up tattoos that featured brands or logos, including the Olympic rings.
There used to be consequences for athletes who failed to cover up their tattoos during competitions, including disqualification. However, the IPC has since changed that regulation. IPC chief brand and communications officer Craig Spence stated that athletes who have tattoos of the rings on their bodies are not required to cover them up, but he did not provide a reason for the committee’s decision to alter its guidelines.
“Athletes with such tattoos do not need to cover them up,” he declared.
Getting an Olympic rings tattoo
Obtaining a tattoo of the Olympic rings, which consists of five interlocking rings in the colours blue, yellow, black, red, and green, has become a culture for many Olympians and Paralympians.
Swimmer Chris Jacobs, who took home three medals from the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, is frequently recognized for having initiated the practice of getting the Olympic rings inked on his hip following his participation in the Games.
The athlete explained: “I do think it’s become a rite of passage… It’s almost like a little card for a somewhat exclusive club.”
Paralympic swimmer Rudy Garcia-Tolson remarked: “Having a logo on our bodies that signifies our journey, our experience as athletes — it’s important to so many of us… For me, my journey to the Paralympics is those Olympic rings. That’s what it signifies — the pursuit of being the best.”
Source: People