Lausanne October 2015

IOC Social and Digital Media Guidelines for persons accredited to theGames of the XXXI Olympiad Rio 2016
Introduction
The International Olympic Committee (the “IOC”) encourages participants and otherpersons accredited at the Games of the XXXI Olympiad Rio 2016 (the “Games”) to takepart in social and digital media and to share their experiences with their friends, family andsupporters. These guidelines are designed to ensure that this activity respects the Olympic
values and the rights of third parties.
These guidelines apply to all participants and more generally to all accredited persons at
the Games, i.e. all athletes, coaches, officials, personnel of National Olympic Committees
and of International Federations and members of accredited media. They apply from theopening of the Olympic Village, on 24 July 2016, until the closing of the Olympic Village, on
24 August 2016.
Please also refer to the “Frequently Asked Questions” section for more detailed
information on these guidelines.
1. General principles
It is entirely acceptable for accredited persons to share their experience at the Gamesthrough internet or any other type of social and digital media, provided that it is done in a
first-person, diary-type format and that the other requirements included in these guidelines
are respected. Only the persons who are accredited as media may act as journalists,
reporters or in any other media capacity while they are at the Games.
Postings made by, or on behalf of, accredited persons should at all times conform to the
Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship and must not be undertaken for the
purposes of demonstration or any form of political, religious or racial propaganda. Such
postings should be within the bounds of dignity and good taste and should not be
discriminatory, offensive, hateful, defamatory or otherwise illegal. The use of vulgar or
obscene words or images is prohibited.
In addition to these guidelines, accredited persons may be submitted to additionalguidelines related to the use of social and digital media, issued by National Olympic
Committees or other organisations.
2. Photographs, video and audio
Accredited persons can post or otherwise share on social and digital media still
photographs taken within Olympic venues (i.e. all venues which require an Olympic
accreditation card or ticket to gain entry, including the Olympic Village, Olympic Village
Plaza, the competition venues, the training and practice venues and the Barra Olympic
Park) for personal use. It is not permitted to commercialise, sell or otherwise distributethese photographs. Moreover, to respect the privacy of residents, no pictures shall betaken in the areas of the Olympic Village designated as “no picture areas”.
Accredited persons are allowed to capture audio or video of the events, competitions or
any other activities which occur at Olympic venues for their personal use. However, suchaudio or video content must not be made available on social and digital media (e.g. byposting or streaming) or on any other type of media without the IOC’s prior approval.

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Still photographs, video and/or audio that are taken outside of Olympic venues are notsubject to the above-noted restrictions and can be shared through social and digital media,
provided that the other requirements included in these guidelines are respected.
3. Olympic properties
Accredited persons must not use the Olympic symbol on social and digital media. The
word “Olympic” and other Olympic-related words can be used, as a factual reference,
provided that the word “Olympic” and other Olympic-related words are not associated withany third party or any third party’s products or services. Accredited Persons must not use
other Olympic properties (such as National Olympic Committee and/or Rio 2016 emblems
or mascots) on social and digital media, unless they have obtained the prior written
approval of their relevant NOC and/or the Rio 2016 Organising Committee.
The Olympic symbol can be used by accredited media for factual and editorial purposes,
for example in a news article covering the Games.
4. Advertising and sponsorship
Accredited persons must not use social and digital media for any commercial and/or
advertising purpose, in particular in a way which creates or implies any association
between, on the one hand, a third party (or a third party’s products and services) and, on
the other hand, the IOC, the Games or the Olympic Movement, unless they have obtained
the permission from the IOC and/or the relevant National Olympic Committee beforehand.
The conditions under which accredited competitors, coaches, trainers and officials may
allow third parties to use their person, name, picture or sports performances for advertising
purposes, including on social and digital media, are described in the Guidelines on Rule 40of the Olympic Charter issued by the IOC and the relevant National Olympic Committees.
5. Domain names/URLs/page naming/applications
Domain names, URLs and social media handles including the word “Olympic” or“Olympics” or other Olympic-related terms (including their equivalents in languages otherthan English) are not allowed unless approved by the IOC beforehand. For example,
www.[myname]olympic.com or @[myname]Olympic would not be permitted, while
www.[myname].com/olympic would be allowed, provided the content made available
through such page respects the other requirements included in these guidelines. Similarly,
accredited persons may not create stand-alone Olympic-themed websites, applications or
any other features to host coverage of the Games.
6. Compliance with laws and third parties’ rights
When accredited persons choose to go public with any comments, opinions and any othermaterial in any way, including on social and digital media, they are solely responsible forthe consequences of their action. They must ensure that they comply with applicable laws
and that they have obtained all necessary permissions from any third parties whose image
or property is used.
When using social and digital media, accredited persons should not:(i) intrude upon the privacy of third parties;(ii) infringe upon any intellectual property rights, or other rights of any third party;(iii) disclose any information which is confidential or private in relation to another personor organisation;(iv) interfere with the competitions or the ceremonies of the Games or with the
responsibilities of the IOC, the Rio 2016 Organising Committee or other entities thatare part of the organisation of the Games; or(v) violate security measures instituted to ensure the safe conduct of the Games.

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© Copyright IOC 2016 All Rights ReservedAccredited persons can be held personally liable for any commentary and/or material
deemed to be obscene, offensive, defamatory or otherwise illegal, or infringing on any third
party’s rights. This applies also in case accredited persons authorize a third party to
manage their social media accounts or to express opinions on their behalf.
7. Infringements
The IOC reserves the right to take any appropriate measures with respect to infringementsof these guidelines. The measures may include requiring the removal of any infringing
content, withdrawing the accreditation of the responsible person or organisation, taking
legal action or imposing other sanctions pursuant to the Olympic Charter.
8. Amendment/interpretation
The IOC reserves the right to amend these Guidelines, as it deems appropriate. The IOC
Executive Board shall be the final authority with respect to the interpretation andimplementation of these Guidelines. The English version of these Guidelines will prevail.

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© Copyright IOC 2016 All Rights ReservedIOC Social and Digital Media Guidelines for persons accredited to theGames of the XXXI Olympiad Rio 2016
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQ are provided by the IOC for information purposes only. Participants and otheraccredited persons at the Games of the XXXI Olympiad Rio 2016 (the “Games”) are invited
to consult the IOC Social and Digital Media Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) in their fullversion, available at www.olympic.org.
Q: Who is concerned by the Guidelines?
A: The Guidelines apply to all accredited persons, in particular to all athletes, coaches,
officials, personnel of National Olympic Committees and of International Federations andmembers of media accredited to the Games.
Q: When do the Guidelines apply?
A: The Guidelines apply from the opening of the Olympic Village, on 24 July 2016, until theclosing of the Olympic Village, on 24 August 2016.
Q: Can I use social media or update my blog/website during my participation in the
Games?
A: YES; the IOC encourages all accredited persons to share their experience at theGames with others through internet or any social media (e.g. via services such as
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Weibo, VKontakte, etc.) but requests that certain rules areobserved.
In particular, this activity should comply with the Olympic Charter and be consistent with
the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship. Also remember that any online
activity is still subject to applicable laws (such as defamation, privacy and intellectual
property laws) and so the Guidelines require accredited persons to respect those laws andensure that their social media activity is in good taste, dignified and does not contain vulgar
or obscene content. Postings that are racist, discriminatory or otherwise offensive towards
other persons are also prohibited.
During the period of the Games, accredited persons are not allowed to commercialise theirsocial media and internet activities (see further below “Can I post about my sponsors
during the Games?”).
Q: Can I post about the competitions?
A: YES; Participants and other accredited persons can post about their participation in thecompetitions, other competitions or their experiences generally during the Games but,unless they are members of accredited media, they should not assume the role of ajournalist or media outlet. Posting should hence be in a first-person, diary-type format. In
their online activities, accredited persons must not disclose any information which is
confidential or private in relation to any other person or organisation involved in the
Games.
Q: Can I answer questions from the media asked through internet or social media?
A: YES; in the same way as offline, accredited persons are allowed - but under noobligation - to answer questions from the media asked through internet or social media.
They should also be vigilant about their postings and keep in mind that what they say andpost on the internet and social media will be in the public domain and may be used by the
media. In essence, they post their opinions and any other materials at their own risk andthey should make it clear that the views expressed are their own.
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Q: Can I share photos taken from Olympic venues?
A: YES; accredited persons can share still photographs taken within or outside competition
venues and other Olympic venues on social media and internet provided such postings are
not used for commercial purposes and respect applicable laws and the rights of others.
Please note that specific requirements apply in the perimeter of the Olympic Villages (seebelow “Can I post photos or videos taken within the Olympic Villages?”).
Q: Can I share videos taken from within Olympic venues?
A: Accredited persons can record video or audio content within or outside competition
venues and other Olympic venues, with non-professional recording material (no TV
equipment, tripods or monopods are allowed). However, video or audio content taken fromwithin Olympic venues (i.e. all venues which require an Olympic accreditation card or ticket
to gain entry, including the Olympic Village, Olympic Village Plaza, the competition venues,
the training and practice venues and the Barra Olympic Park) must only be for personal
use and must not be uploaded or shared on any website, blog, social media page, photoor video-sharing sites, or other mobile application. Broadcasting images via live-streaming
applications (e.g. Periscope, Meerkat) is prohibited inside Olympic venues.
Accredited persons can share video or audio content taken outside competition venues
and other Olympic venues on social media and the internet provided that such posting is
not for commercial purposes and respects applicable laws and the rights of others.
Q: Can I post photos or videos taken within the Olympic Village?
A: Accredited persons can take photos within the Olympic Village (except in areas
designated as “no picture areas”) and such photos can be shared on the internet or social
media. However, it is important to keep in mind that if another person’s image is included
or referred to in a posting such person’s permission should be obtained beforehand.
Accredited persons can also record videos or audio content in the Olympic Village but only
for personal use and such content video or audio content must not be uploaded or sharedon any website, blog, social media account, public photo- or video-sharing sites or mobile
application. Broadcasting images via live-streaming applications (e.g. Periscope, Meerkat)
is prohibited inside the Olympic Village.
Persons staying in the Olympic Village are also required to respect the protected
atmosphere of the Olympic Villages and are not allowed to report on the activities of otherresidents, unless they have obtained such other persons’ consent beforehand.
Q: Can I post about my sponsors during the Games?
A: As a principle, accredited persons should only use social media during the period of theGames for the purposes of sharing their experiences and communicating with their friends,
family and supporters and not for commercial and/or advertising purposes. Accredited
persons may only post about their sponsors, promote any brand, product or service onsocial or digital media or otherwise use social and digital media in a manner that creates or
implies any association between the Games or the IOC and a third party, or its products
and services, if they have obtained the prior written approval of the IOC or their National
Olympic Committee.
All competitors, coaches, trainers and officials must ensure that their activities on theinternet and social media comply with the requirements of Rule 40 of the Olympic Charterand the related instructions issued by the IOC, Rio 2016 Organising Committee and theirrespective National Olympic Committees. The Rule 40 Guidelines issued by the IOCcontain limited exceptions to permit advertising by Olympic sponsors or, in certain
circumstances, by other sponsors running existing campaigns.

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Q: Can I use the Olympic symbol or other Olympic properties in my internet andsocial media posts?
A: Accredited persons are not allowed to use the Olympic symbol on social and digital
media. Only members of accredited media are authorised to use the Olympic symbol for
factual and news editorial purposes, for example in a news article covering the Games.
The word “Olympic” and other Olympic-related terminology can be used by accredited
persons on social and digital media but only for editorial/factual purposes (for example todescribe and report about their experience at the Games). The use of the Rio 2016
emblem or mascots is subject to the prior written approval of Rio 2016 Organising
Committee, while the use of the National Olympic Committees’ emblems is subject to therelevant National Olympic Committees.
National Olympic Committees may issue specific rules regarding the use of their emblems.
In any event, the Olympic symbol and the other Olympic properties must not be used forcommercial purposes, or in a manner that suggests any association between the Olympic
Games or the IOC and a third party, or its products and services, or any kind ofendorsement by the IOC or the Rio 2016 Organising Committee.

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