Tattoo'd Olympians - Why are they blurred?
 

Has anybody else noticed the cameras at the Olympics are somehow blurring out the tattoos that MANY Olympians have?

The only time they show them clearly is when the commentator specifically talks about an individual tat on someone. (They showed one of Misty May's briefly.)

What's the deal? Is there some kind of moratorium on showing tats on Prime Time television now? Is it somehow a role model issue? It drives me nuts.

If you haven't noticed yet, pay attention to most of the Male track and field athletes. Most if not all have many tats, and they just look like greenish blemishes on their arms. Even Misty May's tats are blurred by the camera somehow, and it really looks freaky on her lighter skin.

Anybody know why they are doing this? (Sorry if repost.)

I saw the NBA players tats very clearly. Well as clear as you can see a black tattoo on black skin.

Yes, during the 200 m race today with superman. :eek:

I think it was the # 3 , the american, tattoo on the left arm.

Google search

good. . .


everybody elses tat sucks. . . .:thumbsup:

China is now oppressing the world instead of only its own people. China's true colors are coming through for all the world to see.

the nba players tattoos slipped through the filters i guess. Or is it only women who cant have them?

How can China block tatoos when the camera equip, sats, and everything else is American (NBC's to be specific)?
If I had TV I'd check CBC's broadcast. Any Canucks or northern American's with satellite notice this on CBC?

Never noticed it. Thought Misty Mays tats were clearly visible every time I watched her play in the sand.

I'm perplexed...

As soon as I posted this last night, I went back out, and sure enough, I'm seeing the tats clearly.

I asked my wife if we had somehow smoked some crack without knowing it, but she's pretty sure that we've never smoked any crack, and haven't smoked anything else for quite a few years now.

My TV is a 42" HD with 1080 rez (but was made in China....hmmmm), so I'm clueless as to if it's just me or what.

Oh well. Nevermind. Carry on.

Mods...Feel free to delete this thread please.

For anyone that doesn't frequent ESPN.com, here's a good read from Rick Reilly: These Olympics are unreal.

That's great.

And on a side note, I haven't noticed a single blurred tattoo. And I've been watching a lot of coverage. Maybe you need glasses?

Olympic athletes are prohibited from protesting/advocating/what ever you want to call it during the games. Maybe the tattoo you saw somehow fell into this category so they had to blur it out.

I watched the women's beach volleyball gold medal match last night, and neither of Misty May-Treanor's (who is HOT, by the way) tattoos were blurred out on my screen. Maybe you folks that had blurred tattoos should step away from the rabbit ear set-up and step towards cable, digital or otherwise. LOL. :D

I'm thinking some of the tats might be sponsors it. Nike, Gatorade etc.

blurred olympic tattoos
 

so here's my theory on the blurry tat's: I think NBC wanted to be reimbursed by the tattoo artists for advertising their work in such a high profile way. most of them either couldn't afford it or refused to pay so NBC, in an act of utter litigiousness, artfully blurred out the tat's. This would explain 1: why most of the basketball players aren't blurred out. because they're on t.v. regularly they already have an unlimited perpetuity arrangement worked out between the artist and the networks, and 2: why in a live feed none of the tat's are blurred. If it were a question of copyright law you can bet your sweet bippy they would time-delay it and blur it out to keep from getting sued. but because its a matter of NBC being snotty about free advertising it doesn't make sense for them go threw the hassle over something airing at three in the morning. so they wait and blur it out before re-airing it in prime time. So there it is. Anyone with a shred of background in copyright law feel free to pick this apart.