The US swimmer got away with breaking the rule in the London 2012 Paralympics
An athlete who had a tattoo of the Olympic rings spoke out after a rule change meant he could be banned from Games at the Paralympics.
You know the exact tattoo I mean, itâs practically a rite of passage for those taking part in the games – and especially thos who take home medals.
Except the Olympic and Paralympic Games have slightly… well, arguably very, different rules about them.
Many Olympians bare the Olympic rings tattoo, including British swimmer Adam Peaty. (ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images)
Because while athletes may proudly get the infamous five rings inked onto their skin, Paralympians could find themselves disqualified from the events in Paris when it begins next week.
Yep, thatâs because the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has rules against âbody advertisingâ, unlike the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
A Team GB athlete was previously banned from a race at the IPC European Championships for not covering up his rings tattoo in 2016. However, another athlete had previously gotten away with it as he said he doesnât âreally agreeâ.
And an IPC spokesperson said at the time: “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.
Swimmer Rudy Garcia-Tolson doesn’t agree with the rule. (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“All teams are informed of the advertising policy at a technical meeting prior to competition so it wasn’t as if they had not been reminded about the rules.”
American athlete Rudy Garcia-Tolson had the rings inked onto the back of his left shoulder after winning gold in the 200m individual medley swimming.
When he took part in the London 2012 Paralympics, the rule was first in place for all sports but not strictly enforced.
He said he covered up his rings with marker but by the time he jumped into the pool, it had worn off. However, he wasnât disqualified and kept his silver medal.
âThat was kind of unintentional, but at the same time I feel like thatâs who I am,â he told NBC Sports.
The athlete discussed having to cover up as he prepared to tape over his rings for Rio in 2016.
He has to cover the rings up to compete in the Paralympics. (Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
“I donât really agree with it, but itâs the rules, so weâre just going to have to go with it,â he said.
âIâm going to follow the rules. I donât want to put all this hard work in and then get disqualified for something I have on my body.â
He added that on his team of Paralympians, the standard is that if you earn a gold medal you reward yourself by getting the famous rings tattoo â despite it not being the same logo.
âWe feel like we should be treated no differently than our Olympic teammates,â he said.
âThe title, the names, to me itâs just kind of unimportant. Whoâs to say in 20 years we donât have the same logo [as the Olympics].â
Featured Image Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images/Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images