BOA reaches Rule 40 agreement

The British Olympic Association (BOA) and a group of athletes represented by the legal firm Brandsmiths are pleased to announce they have reached an agreement in relation to the interpretation of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Rule 40 in the United Kingdom.

Following a challenge to the BOA’s Rule 40 position in November 2019, the BOA has engaged in constructive dialogue with Adam Gemili – who acted as lead representative of the athlete group – and Brandsmiths and agreed to provide a greater level of commercial freedom to athletes whilst preserving the BOA’s unique funding model, with new guidelines to be published in due course.

The guidelines will include increased multiple opportunities for athletes to endorse – via ‘thank you’ messages – their personal sponsors during the Games period, and a move to a process of deemed consent for athletes and their sponsors in relation to Games-time marketing campaigns.

The move to deemed consent – whereby athletes do not now have to formally submit all marketing materials for approval (but are still required to notify)

– has been further supplemented by a relaxation of the ‘in-market’ period, defining the dates by which a campaign has to be visible to the public.

Andy Anson, the BOA’s recently appointed CEO, said: "This agreement allows athletes to further benefit from their personal sponsors whilst balancing the needs of the BOA to raise funds to support all athletes at the Games.

"I’m grateful that Adam [Gemili] and his colleagues took the time to work with us to find a solution.

"We have always been and will continue to be supportive of athletes maximising their earning potential and having sponsors at a national or local level."

Olympian Gemili, on behalf of the athletes represented by Brandsmiths, added: "As an athlete group we are pleased to have reached an agreement with the BOA that moves us into line with other Olympic federations and that provides every athlete an equal and fair chance to generate sponsorship revenue in the build up to and during the Games.

"I would like to say thank you to the BOA for facilitating an open dialogue and recognising and addressing the concerns of the athlete body.

"Most importantly I would like to thank my teammates who have supported this movement both openly and behind the scenes, together we have made a real difference and demonstrated the strength of unity."

Chair of the BOA Athletes’ Commission, Ben Hawes, who worked with the Athlete group and BOA to support the process, commented: "The BOA Athletes' Commission is put in place by and is representative of athletes across all sports. We are glad to have supported the process to find a satisfactory position that will help all athletes access more marketing and commercial opportunities, whilst protecting the vital funding of the BOA which continues to enable Team GB athletes to have the best support at Olympic Games.

"It remains crucial that we have a strong athlete voice and seat at the table within the organisation. Athletes will then continue to have the ability to raise issues and concerns on any matter across the Olympic sporting journey."

Rule 40 is an IOC rule designed to support and protect the IOC’s ability to host the Olympic Games and support solidarity funding of athletes across the globe. The IOC distributes 90% of its revenues to Organising Committees, International Federations, National Olympic Committees, athletes and athlete programmes.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The BOA is a not-for-profit organisation, the sole purpose of which is to take athletes to the Olympic Games and support and grow Olympic sport in the United Kingdom.

It is an entirely independent organisation, solely financed by commercial sponsorship and private patron donations. The organisation is not in receipt of any tax payer or Government funding.

The BOA anticipates the publication of newly revised Rule 40 guidelines in full in March, details of the agreement can be found at the following link by clicking here.

About The BOA:

The British Olympic Association (BOA) is the National Olympic Committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Its mission is to develop, promote and protect the Olympic Movement in our territory in accordance with the Olympic Charter. The BOA achieves this through:

--Working in partnership with our members and key stakeholders to deliver world-leading services and support to enable British athletes to reach their full potential at the Olympic Games, Olympic Winter Games and other IOC-sanctioned events

--Working in partnership with our members and key stakeholders to provide athletes with relevant support on the journey to, during and following their Olympic careers

--Engaging people throughout the United Kingdom to pursue their very own goals and dreams through the Olympic Values and the example of Team GB Olympians

--Being the independent voice of Olympic Sport and collaborating with our members and other sport stakeholders, both domestically and internationally, to support the continued growth and overall health of the Olympic Movement in the UK

For further information, please visit TeamGB.com

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