Paris 2024 Olympic Games Reminders on Rules on Participation

Last Friday, BWF sent out the invitation lists for qualifiers for the Olympic Games (linked here) and Member Associations have until Friday 24 May (next Friday) to consult their NOC, and then write back to the BWF confirming acceptance of each qualified player invited.

Participation Rules – Paris 2024

Your NOC is the key contact for information on the  participation rules for athletes and team members going to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Here is a reminder of some of the main rules related to participation at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

1. Anti-Doping Regulations for the Games (linked here)
2. Guidelines for Authorised Identification

• IOC – General Guidelines – Rule 50 (linked here)
• Badminton Specific Guidelines (linked here)

3. Rule 40 – Commercial Opportunities for Participants
4. Guidelines for Athlete Expression (linked here)
5. Social and Digital Media Guidelines (linked here)
6. Safeguarding at the Olympic Games

Please contact your NOC if you need more information, see the contact details below or look at the BWF website (linked here) for more information.

Please also forward this to coaches and team managers are going to the Games and ensure your delegation for Paris 2024 is aware of all these rules.

1. Anti-Doping Regulations for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

The IOC Anti-Doping Regulations for Paris 2024 (linked here) apply for the Games. Key points to note are:

• The above regulations are in force from 18 July to 11 August 2024 (the day of the Opening of the Olympic Village up to and including the day of the Closing Ceremony).
• In-competition period for testing badminton athletes is 11.59 p.m. on 26 July to midnight on 5 August (the last day of the Badminton Competition).
• Testing can take place at any time, any place before and after the Games with no advance warning.
• Athletes must provide sufficient details of ‘Whereabouts’ such as block number, room number in the Olympic Village, location of training during the Games, place of pre Games training.

BWF will send out more information next week, including pre Games education programmes.

2. Guidelines for Authorised Identification – Paris 2024

The IOC and Paris 2024 publish general and sport-specific guidelines on authorised identifications for each Olympic Games. This relates to the commercial branding (size, number, locations) participants are able to have on Games time team uniforms and badminton uniforms for competitions (clothing, socks, shoes, wrist bands, shoes) – see the below and contact your NOC if you have questions.

Before players go on court for matches, uniforms are checked to ensure they comply with IOC / Paris 2024 guidelines.

• IOC General Guidelines – Authorised Identification (linked here) Rule 50 – Olympic Charter – these general principles apply to all participants with accreditation at the Games – including athletes, coaches, team managers and other team members.
• Badminton Specific Guidelines for Authorised Identifications – English (linked here) / French (linked here).
• Online version of the Guidelines – English (linked here) / French (linked here).
• NOC Team Apparel Guidelines (linked here).

3. Rule 40 – Commercial Opportunities for Participants – Paris 2024

The IOC publishes resources on how participants (including athletes) can engage in and benefit from commercial activities around the Games. Three IOC resources are published on the Athlete365 platform (linked here) and these are linked here for convenience:

• Paris 2024 – Rule 40 – Frequently Asked Questions – March 2024 (linked here)
• Paris 2024 Rule 40 – Illustrative Guidelines – March 2024 (linked here)
• Paris 2024 – Commercial Opportunities for Athletes – March 2024 (linked here)

4. Guidelines for Athlete Expression – Paris 2024

The IOC has published guidelines on how athletes can express themselves during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

• Guidelines on Athlete Expression – Paris 2024 (linked here)

Athletes at the Olympic Games are part of a global community and they have many different views, lifestyles and values. The mission of the Olympic Games is to bring the global community together and to facilitate understanding, respect and acceptance of this diversity.

It is a fundamental principle that sport at the Olympic Games is neutral and must be separate from political, religious or other types of interference.

The focus on the field of play and competitions, during official Games ceremonies (medal / opening / closing ceremonies) must be on celebrating athletes’, athlete performance and their achievements. The Athletes Village must also be a place to provide respectful conditions for all athletes from around the world.

There are however other situations and locations at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games where athletes can freely express themselves. See guidelines above, and especially page 3 on locations.

5. IOC Social and Digital Media Guidelines for Paris 2024

The main objective of these guidelines is to enable athletes to share their personal experiences at the Olympic Games while protecting the rights of the IOC’s media rights-holders.

• IOC Social and Digital Media Guidelines – Paris 2024 (linked here)

Here are a few basic examples from the guidelines, however please open the link and read the guidelines for a full understanding of what athletes can do / and cannot do. The guidelines also are relevant to other accredited guests at the Games.

5. Safeguarding at the Games – Safe Sport Zone – at the Athletes Village

The IOC is committed to ensuring that the Olympic Games are a safe sporting environment. This applies to all participants, but especially athletes at the Games.

During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games there will be a Safe Sport Zone at the Athletes Village Fitness Centre.

• IOC Safeguarding Officers will be available for confidential support and consultations.
• An AI powered tool will be used to detect and respond to cyber abuse towards athletes and officials during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Paris 2024 will host an Athlete365 Mindzone located at the Athletes’ Village which will provide services to support athletes’ positive mental health while at the Games.

More information will follow on this.

Contacts / More Information

Please contact the following people if you need more information:

• Anti-Doping – Andy Hines-Randle – [email protected]
• Authorized Identification – Chris Trenholme – [email protected]
• Other Guidelines – Stuart Borrie – [email protected]