Paralympic athlete was disqualified from race due to little-known tattoo rule

A Paralympics athlete was once disqualified from a race for an incredibly unfortunate reason.

Athletes are usually allowed to have tattoos for sporting events - which is good news for the likes of Adam Peaty, who is famous for the elaborate artwork across his body, from the huge lion on his left shoulder to the subtle ‘H’ on his chest as a nod to girlfriend Holly Ramsay.

There are sometimes rules and restrictions to bear in mind, however, that may lead to a problem for anyone inked-up.

Back in May 2016, Paralympic swimmer Josef Craig had been competing in the IPC European Championships in Madeira when he found himself disqualified.

The 19-year-old Brit had won his heat in the men’s S8 100m freestyle, but was eventually disqualified before the final took place.

Josef Craig won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

He’d failed to cover up a tattoo - specifically, the Olympic rings and Team GB lion's head design on the left side of his chest, which he’d had covered for the S8 400m freestyle heats.

Craig, now retired at 27, had breached official regulations relating to advertising, with an International Paralympic Committee spokesman explaining at the time in a statement: "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."

While he had no joy in that particular championships, he did land himself two gold medals at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, also setting two records at the age of 15.

Craig at another event in 2016, his tattoo just visible above the water. (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The swimmer went on to be named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year later that year.

Craig, who has cerebral palsy, announced his retirement in October 2018, when he was 21, saying he planned to move into coaching.

"It's time for a new challenge,” he said, saying of his new career move: "To be able to help individuals gain an important life skill and also go on to achieve will be really rewarding."

Referencing how, in the run-up to the Rio Games in 2016 - where he won a bronze medal in the men’s 100m freestyle S8 - he suffered with anxiety, bipolar and depression, Craig added: “I went through a lot and for a long time, I now want to use the platform and influence I have to help those facing mental issues.

"I want to use my journey as evidence that it is possible to turn things around no matter how bad a situation may appear."