Paraylympians at risk of bizarre disqualification in Paris despite rule not being enforced at Olympics
The Paralympians won't be allowed to show off their Olympic logo tattoos
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Paralympians competing in Paris from next week will need to be aware of a bizarre rule that could see them disqualified from the event.
The Paris Paralympics officially get underway on August 29 with more than 4,000 athletes from around the world set to compete.
Athletes who compete at the Olympics often mark their achievement with a tattoo of the famous five-ring logo.
Hundreds of athletes were seen with the Olympic logo etched on their bodies throughout the competition earlier this month.
The Paralympians won't be allowed to show off their Olympic logo tattoos
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However, athletes competing in the Paralympics aren't given the same luxury.
A bizarre rule enforced by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) means athletes will be disqualified if athletes show off an Olympic rings logo.
The IPC is separate to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which allows athletes to show off the tattoo.
British swimmer Josef Craig seemingly wasn't aware of the rule during the 2016 Paralympics.
Craig was disqualified from the men's S8 100m final at the IPC European Championships in 2016 for failing to cover up his tattoo of the Olympic rings.
An IPC spokesman 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.
“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.”
Josef Craig was disqualified from the IPC European Championships in 2016
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Craig covered up his tattoo for the 2016 Paralympics where he went on to win bronze in the 100m S8 final.
It's been reported that the IPC are expected to enforce the rule regarding the tattoo once again this summer.
It comes despite multiple Olympic athletes being allowed to display the iconic rings tattoo throughout the Games earlier this month.
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The Paralympics get underway on August 29
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Athletes such as Simone Biles, Tom Daley and Adam Peaty are among those to have the Olympic rings etched on their bodies.
Under IOC rules, tattoos are permitted to be on display so long as they don't advertise a product.
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