The 2020 Summer Olympics has begun! As world-class athletes come together to represent their countries, here are five technical and legal facts associated with the games which you might not know:
1. What do you call a blister on a Tyrannosaurus Rex? A ‘Dino Sore’
The average person will spend a considerable amount of time and money finding the right running shoes, whether they run daily, weekly, or think that will bring motivation (we’ve all done it). However, track and field athletes do not have to wear shoes. In fact after getting blisters from new and ill-fitting shoes, Abebe Bikila, a double Olympic marathon champion from Eithiopa, decided to run a marathon barefoot in the 1960 Rome Olympics and went on to win a gold medal!
The Olympic Charter sets the fundamental principles, rules and bye-laws to govern the Olympic movement. Rule 5 was amended last year in anticipation of the Tokyo Summer Olympics 2020 to “preserve the integrity of elite competition”. Following the amendment, World Athletics published a list of approved competition shoes. Should an athlete decide to wear shoes which are not on the approved list, they must provide World Athletics with the specifications of the new shoes they intend on wearing at least four months prior to a competition. If there are any suspicions that the shoes worn don’t comply with the rules, the shoes will have to be handed over on request for investigation. Non-compliance will lead to disqualification.
2. I saw an oil stain that was 1000 years old. It was Ancient Grease.
Most of us now know that swimmers can grease their elbows and inner thighs to avoid chafing. However, under Rule 5.5 of the Féderation Internationale De Natation Water Polo Referees’ Manual, water polo players are not permitted to apply any substance to their bodies to prevent disadvantages. If such a substance is identified before the start of play, the player will be ordered to remove it and start of play will not be delayed. If detected after, the player may be excluded from the remainder of the game. A similar rule also applies to athletes in a relay race, substances must not be put in their hands to obtain a better grip of the baton.
3. Who would’ve thought the comment “I wouldn’t touch them with a six-foot pole” would become a national policy?
The Olympic motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” was first adopted in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the “father of the modern Olympics”. It means “Faster, Higher, Stronger”.
The motto has remain unchanged until 20 July 2021 when the current president of the IOC announced the addition of “Communiter” meaning “Together” to demonstrate solidarity through sport. This comes after 18 months of what most of us will say, has been the greatest challenge of our lives so far!
4. I walk around like everything is fine, but deep down inside my shoe, my sock is sliding off.
The Union Cycliste Internationale is the governing body of sports cycling. Rule 1.3.033 of the regulations which applies in competition, was amended in 2019 and included an interesting fashion faux pas.
The rule sta“socks and overshoes used in competition may not rise above the height defined by half the distance between the middle of the lateral malleolus and the middle of the fibula head”.
Last year’s Christmas socks won’t work then.
5. I was wondering why people kept telling me that juggling bricks is a bad idea. Then it hit me.
The Manchester Velodrome has been home to British cycling including Team GB since it opened in September 1994. You may be familiar with Sir Chris Hoy, Dame Sarah Storey and Sir Bradley Wiggins who have all frequented the Manchester Velodrome and between them have 38 medals (in road and track cycling) and 44 if you include Dame Sarah Storey’s 6 medals in swimming.
Once coined the “the most successful gold-medal factory in history” and now in desperate need of major refurbishment, planning permission for urgent repairs has finally been approved to protect its future. The project is now at the technical design stage with works expected to commence after the 2020 Summer Olympics.
The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 is the relevant legislation which regulates the development and use of land in England and Wales. Certain areas and buildings will be subject to additional planning controls to preserve the properties history.
Before you start juggling bricks, Dutton Gregory is here to assist and give professional advice. With five offices across Hampshire and Dorset, we provide legal expertise and dedicated client service. We work closely alongside both individual and corporate clients to achieve successful outcomes.
If you wish to speak to a member of our team, email them today at contact@duttongregory.co.uk or call your nearest office.
