For years, Paralympic athletes have been forced to cover and hide tattoos depicting the Olympic rings so as not to face penalties or, at worst, risk disqualification from competitions.
In the Paris edition of the Paralympics, this strict rule will stop being enforced, allowing athletes not to have to worry about anything beyond sports performance.
No official explanation has been given as to why this decision was made.
To each his own logo
Olympics and Paralympics may seem like two sides of the same coin.
In reality, the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee are quite distinct organizations, with different personnel, bylaws, and, most importantly, distinct logos.
The Paralympics have no connection with the symbol of the Olympic rings.
The logo that represents them is a set of three “commas,” more precisely agitos (from the Latin for “I move”) of three different colors: red, blue and green, i.e., the colors most commonly used in the flag palette of the world’s countries (if you are wondering what the five circles in the Olympics logo represent, find the explanation here). 
The fact that some Paralympic athletes had tattooed the logo of another event on their skin was perceived as a form of advertising against a competing body, generating confusion among the public as well as negatively affecting the understanding of the Paralympic circuit.
For this reason, it was made a mandatory rule for athletes to cover tattoos depicting the five-ring logo.
More than a tattoo
It must be said that for many Paralympic athletes having indelibly tattooed Olympic rings has no ulterior motive or commercial intent.
That tattoo is much more simply a symbolic depiction of their efforts and sacrifices that got them there.
For example, Paralympic swimmer Rudy Garcia-Tolson crowned his dream when he managed to qualify for the 2004 Paralympics in Athens where he won his first gold medal.
At the age of 16, he tattooed the Olympic rings on his left shoulder as a reminder of the journey that led him to compete at that level.
The beginning of another great show
The Paralympic Games are the largest sporting event on a global scale where athletes with disabilities can compete for the title of best in the world.
More than 4,000 athletes will compete in 22 sports.
We can be amazed by the feats of these extraordinary athletes from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
For Italy there will be as many as 141 Azzurri competing (record number of participations) divided into 17 disciplines: to name a few there will be Bebe Vio in foil, sprinter Ambra Sabatini who together with Luca Mazzone, swimmer and para-cyclist, have been Italy’s flag bearers. If, like me, you were already nostalgic about the daily appointment with the Games, we can rejoice and go back to the “old” habits by tuning in to the different platforms to follow, support and hopefully rejoice together with our boys.
Happy Paralympics to all! (Via NYT)