During the past 1-2 years, there's been a high level of controversy surrounding logo rules and restrictions mandated by the USATF/USOC/IAAF - essentially, all of the governing bodies of Track & Field. Paired with this, has been the controversy around Rule 40 and the Olympics in which Olympic athletes were forbidden from speaking publicly, in social media, or anywhere about their sponsors...many of them smaller companies that helped them get to the top.
Oiselle experienced some of these sponsor limitations first hand in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Trials in Eugene. We were forced to go through no less than six rounds of design development to get an approved singlet.
This video tells that story. We hope it communicates in a very real (and yes, entertaining) way, the challenges that sponsors face when attempting to get involved in the modern Track & Field system. Bottom line, the USATF/USOC/IAAF make our sport very difficult to love. And as die hard superfans, we think that's a tragedy.
As we move into 2013, it will continue to be a part of Oiselle's mission to look for positive ways to push for change in this area. The athletes deserve it, the fans deserve it, and frankly, the alternative is pretty stark...an asphyxiated sport that gets one gasp of air every four years during the Olympics. I think many T&F lovers agree...we'd like to see our events flourish all year long, with a sport that welcomes everyone to the dance floor.
Thanks for listening - and hope to see you out at the races!
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