By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
FINA, the World Governing Body of Aquatic Sports, has banned the use, in international competitions, including the forthcoming 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, of swimming caps designed for competitors with afros, braids, dreadlocks and “any type of voluminous hair”.
These caps have been banned on the grounds that “athletes competing at the international events never used, neither require to use, caps of such size and configuration”.
And added that they were not suitable because they did not follow “the natural form of the head”.
Not surprisingly, this ban has provoked an outrage on social media, forcing FINA to reconsider the matter, stating that it “recognises the importance of inclusivity and representation”.
FINA has also stated that it is committed to ensuring that all aquatic athletes have access to appropriate swimwear for competition, as long as such swimwear does not offer an unfair competitive advantage.
Inclusivity must be the name of the game!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.’
Sports Law & Taxation features: articles; comparative surveys; commentaries on topical sports legal and tax issues and documentation.
The unique feature of Sports Law & Taxation is that this Journal combines up-to-date valuable and must-have information on the legal and tax aspects of sport and their interrelationships.
Global Sports Law and Taxation Reports feature: articles; comparative surveys; commentaries on topical sports legal and tax issues and documentation.
The unique feature of Global Sports Law and Taxation Reports is that this Journal combines for the first time up to-date valuable and must-have information on the legal and tax aspects of sport and their interrelationships.
The editors of the Journal Sports Law & Taxation are Professor Ian Blackshaw and Dr Rijkele Betten, with specialist contributions from the world's leading practitioners and academics in the sports law and taxation fields.
Managing editor
Dr. Rijkele Betten
Consulting editor
Prof. Dr. Ian S. Blackshaw
Prof. Guglielmo Maisto
Maisto e Associati, Milano
Mr. Kevin Offer
Hardwick & Morris LLP, London
Nolot BV
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