R40Education | U.S. Rule 40 Permissions System

U.S. Rule 40 Education

WHAT IS RULE 40?

Rule 40 of the Olympic Charter is an eligibility rule introduced by the International Olympic Committee in 1991 for the purpose of maintaining the unique and universal competitive environment offered by the Olympic Games.

The rule helps ensure global participation at the Games and maintain the long-term health of the Movement. The value of the IOC’s international marketing program and the benefit partners receive to market their association with the Games supports athletes around the world, including all members of Team USA. There is a similar rule in the International Paralympic Committee’s Paralympic Handbook that governs participants in the Paralympic Games.

PARIS 2024 DATES

Olympic Games: July 18 – Aug. 13, 2024.

Paralympic Games: Aug. 21 – Sept. 10, 2024.

WHO DOES RULE 40 APPLY TO?

Participants in the current Olympic or Paralympic Games Paris 2024, including current competitors, coaches, trainers and officials. Rule 40 is not applicable to alumni.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

Get Permission

U.S. Targeted Marketing:

Athlete Personal Sponsors obtain U.S. Rule 40 permission by completing and abiding by the terms in the USOPC’s Personal Sponsor Commitment (“PSC”).

Steps for Athletes, Athlete Representatives and Marketing Agencies:

Communicate to each personal sponsor that it will need to obtain a waiver through USOPC Rule 40 Permissions System.

Steps for Personal Sponsors :

Athlete Personal Sponsor reads and agrees to terms listed in the USOPC’s “Personal Sponsor Commitment” which can be accessed via the “Personal Sponsor Entry” button on the USOPC Rule 40 Permissions System.
Once Athlete Personal Sponsor completes a PSC, it is granted a Rule 40 permission.
If Athlete Personal Sponsor violates the agreement, its Rule 40 permission will be revoked and it may face other consequences.

Multinational Marketing:

These USOPC guidelines apply only to campaigns targeted to a United States audience.

Use of Team USA participants in personal sponsors campaigns not targeted to a United States audience is subject to the requirements of the IOC / IPC and any applicable National Olympic Committee/National Paralympic Committee. For all such campaigns running in markets outside the U.S., Athlete Personal Sponsors must notify the IOC of their non-U.S. generic advertising plans through: https://rule40.olympic.org/

USOPC consent to such non-U.S. use is granted subject to obtaining such IOC/IPC/NOC/NPC approvals.

Know the Rules

USOPC Personal Sponsor Commitment ( PDF download - USOPC Personal Sponsor Commitment )
USOPC Guidance ( PDF download - USOPC 2024 Domestic Rule 40 Guidance )
IOC Guidance ( PDF download - IOC Rule 40 - Paris )
IPC Guidance ( PDF download - IPC Rule 40 - Paris )

WHAT IS RULE 40 COMPLIANT?

1. Generic Marketing

Generic marketing of the product, service and brand, which includes one or more athletes.
2. Athlete-Recognition Marketing

Athlete-Recognition Marketing reflects a personal sponsor’s support of an athlete’s participation in the Games. Athlete-recognition advertising can come in one of two forms:

a. Athletes thanking personal sponsors:

Athlete-recognition advertising is a piece of content that makes balanced, factual reference to an athlete’s story. Separate campaigns for each athlete are allowed, but no more than one athlete may be included in any athlete-recognition marketing.

b. Personal sponsors recognizing athletes/performance:

Athlete-recognition advertising is a piece of content that makes balanced, factual reference to an athlete’s story. Separate campaigns for each athlete are allowed, but no more than one athlete may be included in any athlete-recognition marketing.