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GB athlete had to cover up Olympic ring tattoo at Paralympics after being disqualified over it

GB athlete had to cover up Olympic ring tattoo at Paralympics after being disqualified over it

The athlete was disqualified from the European Championships and was forced to cover up for the Paralympics.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

A Team GB athlete was forced to cover up an Olympic ring tattoo when he competed at the Paralympics.

This year's Paralympics kicks off with the opening ceremony on August 28, before the action gets underway a day later in Paris.

And as was the case with the Olympics, there are a number of strict rules and regulations which athletes must follow - one being related to body ink.

British swimmer Josef Craig can vouch that the International Paralympic Committee do not mess about.

In 2012, Craig, who suffers from cerebral palsy, secured a memorable gold medal on home soil when he won the 400m freestyle event and set a new world record along the way.

Craig claimed the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and had a special Royal Mail gold postbox in his honour.

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

He commemorated his achievement with a special tattoo on his left pec, getting the Paralympics GB lion logo and the five Olympic rings.

While it was an innocent tat, it did present a problem for Craig. Anyone competing in the games is not allowed to use their body for advertising and that includes the Olympics - as it is viewed as a different entity.

Four years on and Craig competed at the IPC European Championships and won his heat.

Yet he was banned from swimming in the final due the tattoos bringing a disqualification.

At the time, an International Paralympics Committee (IPC) spokesperson said: "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 so it wasn't as if they had not been reminded about the rules."

YouTube/Paralympic Games

Craig qualified for the Paralympics in Rio and added a second medal to his collection, winning bronze in the 100m freestyle.

On this occasion, the Olympic rings were covered up by a Union Jack - though you could just about make them out.

It should serve as a warning to any athlete at this year's Paralympics.

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/ParalympicGames

Topics: Olympics

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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