The somewhat disturbing sexy photos of Michael Phelps posing for his Louis Vuitton ad campaign might get him in trouble with the International Olympic Committee. Apparently they have some rule which prohibits athletes from participating in advertising(unless it’s an Olympic sponsor) from July 18 to August 15. The Annie Leibovitz photos were leaked to the Daily Mail on August 13th. If you violate the rule the IOC can charge you financial penalties and disqualify you from participating in the games. The disqualification can come after you have already won and would take away your winnings.
If I were an Olympic athlete I would be pissed about this rule. Especially if you are in a sport like gymnastics which only gets attention every four years. It is crucial for these athletes to line-up deals and promote themselves while they are still relevant. The IOC forbidding them for making gains after the Olympics is completely absurd. And to even go as far as removing someone’s medal for participating in an AD campaign is ludicrous.
Regardless I am sure that not even the IOC wants to touch golden boy Phelps. He is practically the Olympic mascot. Not only that but he had nothing to do with the leaking of the photos.
-M
Tags: 40, ads, Annie Leibovitz, bath tub, Daily Mail, disqualify, gold medal, history, Internation Olympic Committee, IOC, Louis Vuitton, medals, michael phelps, prohibit, remove, rule, shirtless, sponsors, swimmer, take away, violation
Ok, but what happens if French luxury fashion house Louis Vuitto is a sponsor for the next Olympics? Will they give Michael his medals back? Maybe Mike needs to make a deal that Louis Vuitto participates as a sponsor for the next Olympics next time!