Paris Paralympics Tattoo Ruling Draws Clear Division From Olympics

“Body advertising is strictly prohibited,” Paralympic athlete Josef Craig was told after he was disqualified from the men’s swimming S8 100m final at the 2016 European Paralympic Championships.

The now-retired winner of two Olympic medals has a tattoo of the Olympic rings on his left chest, which under International Paralympic Committee (IPC) rules is considered advertising, meaning all participants are under the obligation of covering them.

“The athlete did not cover his tattoo and was therefore disqualified,” explained a spokesperson for the organization at the time.

The ruling is strict, as despite delivering a flawless performance and winning his heat, Craig was unable to continue. 

Now, with the 2024 edition of the Paralympics set to take place next Wednesday (August 28), participants could once again have all of their efforts nullified if they are unable to cover their ink properly.

A strange ban on tattoos could get Paralympians banned from the 2024 Paris edition of the event, as shown by one athlete who got disqualified in 2016 for showing his ink

Arm displaying Olympic rings tattoo, symbolizing Paris Paralympics tattoo division from Olympics.

Image credits: Ezra Shaw/Getty

The incident was a peculiar example of the odd differences between the IPC and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with each organization following its own distinct set of rules.

It’s important to distinguish between the European Championships and the Olympics. Craig’s career demonstrates this, as he was disqualified from the former while being able to participate, and even win the bronze medal, in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

This difference explains why the swimmer was caught off guard, as the Olympics had no issue with his particular tattoo, whereas the IPC event considered it a form of advertising.

“We apply a common-sense approach to tattoos, regardless of their nature,” the spokesperson added.

The measure might seem extreme at a glance, but it’s intended to discourage athletes from selling advertising space on their skin, as was the case of American middle-distance runner Nick Symmonds.

The athlete famously auctioned off nearly 23 cm of skin on his arm to T-Mobile for a hefty $21,800 before the 2016 Rio Olympics, causing problems with the official Team USA sponsors at the time, like AT&T.

Since the ruling was introduced in 2012, Paralympic competitors have had to be especially cautious about showing their ink, covering it with clothing and makeup

Athlete with tattoos on a running track, symbolizing Paris Paralympics controversy.

Image credits: Israel Torres

The IPC’s tattoo-specific regulation was introduced before London 2012, but it wasn’t strictly enforced until after the Games when athletes like American Paralympian Rudy Garcia-Tolson competed with visible Olympic rings tattoos.

“I don’t particularly agree with it, but it’s the rule, so we have to accept it,” Garcia-Tolson said. “I don’t want to put in all this hard work only to be disqualified for something on my body.”

In most sports, a simple long sleeve or elasticated cloth might suffice to cover up any ink that could be considered advertising.

For swimmers, waterproof patches or paint can serve as a temporary solution.

Regardless of the measures taken by Paralympic athletes to circumvent the ruling, it remains a point of contention, seeing that the Olympic rings tattoo has been a mainstay of the competition for more than 20 years, and it can be regularly seen on many non-Paralympic competitors.

The Olympic rings tattoo has become a time-honored tradition for non-Paralympic athletes, and it has its origins in the 1988 Seoul Olympics

Swimmer with tattoos practicing at a pool, illustrating division in the Paris Paralympics tattoo ruling.

Image credits: rudygarciatolson

The ruling may become a problem for many athletes, as over the last 20 years, tattooing the Olympic rings has become a time-honored tradition for many, appearing on athletes’ arms, necks, torsos, ankles, and even feet across various sports.

Some participants go all out with large, colorful, and elaborate versions that are hard to miss on TV, while others choose something more discreet. For most, the tattoo is a constant reminder of the effort they’ve invested and the success they’ve achieved in each version of the Olympics.

“It’s almost like a rite of passage,” said Chris Jacobs, a swimmer who earned three medals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, in an interview with USA Today. “It’s like a membership card to an exclusive club.”

Jacobs, now 59, is credited with starting the trend over 30 years ago. After noticing that some Canadian swimmers, including the late Victor Davis, had small flag tattoos on their chests, Jacobs thought of another iconic symbol: the Olympic rings.

Paralympian with tattoos featured on Men's Health cover, showcasing athletic physique and determination.

Image credits: Men’s Health

During a stop in Hawaii on his way back from the Seoul Olympics, Jacobs got a small Olympic rings tattoo on his hip, low enough to be hidden under his swimsuit during competitions. A few years later, he added another, a bit higher up on his hip. Eventually, he went all out with a colorful, more prominent version on the inside of his right bicep.

“They represent a lot to many people,” Jacobs said. “I wanted to commemorate that period in my life.”

Before long, top swimming stars like Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps were showing off their rings tattoos, and the trend quickly spread to other sports, with stars like Simone Biles and Noah Lyles having added their own versions to their skin.

Netizens were confused by the differences between the rules regarding the rings tattoo for the Paralympics and the Olympics, with many labeling the measure as “discriminatory” and “unfair”

Athlete preparing for swimming, showcasing tattoos, highlighting division between Paris Paralympics and Olympics rulings.

Image credits: rudygarciatolson

“So now they are subtly saying paralympians are not olympians. I thought the whole point of the Paralympics was inclusiveness,” said one reader.

“What if it was an olympian (who had the tattoo) and who now has a disability, so needs to be in the Paralympics?” pondered another.

“Well it didn’t get the able Olympians banned so let’s talk equality,” wrote one viewer.

“How can the Olympic rings be considered advertising?” wondered another.

“Jesus Christ! Hard enough being a disabled in this day and age, what a signal to send!” one reader stated.

“This seems more like discrimination than anything else,” argued another.

“Ridiculous.” Netizens were outraged by the seemingly arbitrary differences in rules when it comes to tattoos for Paralympic athletes

"Comment by Kim Keeble on Paris Paralympics tattoo ruling, expressing disapproval with 'Very unfair' as the text.

Comment from Allie Reynolds criticizing a Paralympics tattoo ruling, suggesting medal return.

Comment on Paris Paralympics tattoo ruling highlighting fairness concerns.

Jacqueline Kelly commenting "This is disgusting!" amid Paris Paralympics tattoo controversy.

Facebook comment on Paris Paralympics tattoo ruling, expressing discontent.

A social media comment questioning the Paris Paralympics tattoo ruling with a teary-eyed emoji.

Comment discussing the Paris Paralympics tattoo ruling and its impact on ex-Olympians with disabilities.

Comment on Paris Paralympics tattoo ruling discussing equality among Olympians.

Comment questioning Olympic rings as advertising in a discussion on Paris Paralympics tattoo ruling.

Paul Dymond's comment on Paris Paralympics tattoo ruling, discussing coverage requirements.

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