Each country may display only two logos at the World Cup. The rules are very precise.
Finnish javelin thrower Oliver Helander was sipping a drink from a can on the field after the javelin qualifying on Friday. The logo on the can was completely hidden.
Iltalehti’s cameraman saw earlier how the logo of the cap worn by one of the athletes in the warm-up was hidden under the tape. The reason for the censorship is the World Cup’s exact rules about which logos can be seen on the field.
– All countries receive detailed instructions in advance. Every competing country has to have its competition uniform approved in advance by the International Association of Athletics Federations. We send them pictures of the outfits, and they are acknowledged, CEO of the Finnish Sports Association Harry Aalto tells.
The logo was not even allowed to appear on the can of Oliver Helander’s drink. PASI LEISMA
At the World Championships, the national team’s competition uniform may display the equipment manufacturer’s logo and one of the federation’s own sponsors.
– The exact size of the logo is defined in the international rules. If the competition outfit has not been approved, there may be a taping operation in the waiting room, says Aalto.
Strict line
According to Harri Aalto, the competition outfits are approved in advance. ATTE KAJOVA
On Saturday, in the 4x100m relay, some of the female runners had white tape on their bottoms when the competitors entered the track. However, it is not clear whether the tape was related to censoring the logos.
The competition outfits of the Finnish athletes have not been taped in Budapest.
– At least we are not aware of such a thing. Sometimes such solutions come. The logo may be too large, or the displayed logo does not belong to the country’s approved sponsors, Aalto recalls.
According to Aalto, we are very precise about the rules. Relief is also needed.
– Attempts have been made to ease the situation, so that the unions have a better chance than at present to bring forward their own partner. Everyone knows that getting euros is tough. The World Cup is a big place to support the team.
Different competitions have different rules. Next year, at the Olympic Games in Paris, Finland’s main sponsor cannot be seen in the competition uniform.
The World Cup in Budapest ends on Sunday.