The British Olympic Association (BOA) supported by the British Olympic Association’s Athletes’ Commission has published new and updated Rule 40 guidelines for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Introducing the new Rule 40 guidelines, Ben Hawes, Chair of the BOA’s Athletes’ Commission said: “As an Athletes’ Commission we have been working with the BOA to ensure that the communication of the organisation's updated position on Rule 40 is clear for athletes. This comes after a process of working with the BOA to review the organisation’s current position on the commercial rights of athletes around the Games.
“A new, more flexible application of Rule 40 ahead of Tokyo 2020, especially in relation to personal sponsors, giving athletes the opportunity to thank their personal sponsors at Games-time has been agreed. However, we are acutely aware that for all athletes to be able to compete at an Olympic Games there is a need for balance between the allowances for official Olympic sponsors and those sponsors that choose to support individual athletes.
“As ever, we will continue to represent athletes’ views and rights in this ongoing process with the BOA and the International Olympic Committee, whilst supporting the BOA’s ability to raise the funds necessary to support all athletes of all ages, regardless of status, and at all events.”
During the four year period through until Tokyo 2020 the BOA will have taken over 700 athletes to eight Olympic Summer and Winter Games, European Games, World Beach Games, Youth Olympic Games and European Youth Olympic Festivals.