Britain's athletes could be banned from 2012 for criticising the team

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Competitors could also face a 2012 ban if they sell their official adidas kit before or even after the Games, according to a code of conduct drawn up by team chiefs.

The strict rules are set out in the 34-page book Team Member's Agreement.

Athletes who flout the rules will be punished with fines or could even be axed from Team GB.

Members of the 560-strong team will be told by the British Olympic Association not to "make adverse comments on the performance or prospects of team members".

They are also forbidden from using tattoos, haircuts, piercings or contact lenses as ways of issuing "commercial" or "political" messages. Existing tattoos which make political statements must be covered.

Athletes will be obliged to keep their kit in "good condition", not just for the duration of the Olympics but "in perpetuity".

Even after the Games, the kit cannot be sold although athletes can donate items to "non-political" charities.

The British Olympic Association and Locog, the London organising committee, have drawn up the agreement with the aim of maximising the commercial opportunities offered by hosting sport's biggest event.

They will insist on being able to use athletes' names, nicknames, signatures, images, and performances at the Games, as well as voice recording and even hand and footprints.

Team chiefs hope that in issuing the 2012 rulebook they will avoid the pre-Beijing Games controversy when they had to quickly withdraw an attempted gag on British athletes in what critics said was kowtowing to their Chinese hosts.

In London, competitors must wear official kit in all media appearances; attend the British Olympic Association's post-Games party and agree to joining an Olympic "Hall of Fame" which the BOA plans to form.

They will be reminded of the Olympic ban on betting on any Games event and must report any suspicions over betting and event-fixing.

British gold medallists will have their achievements commemorated by Royal Mail, which will give them £10,000 to use their image on a special set of first class stamps.