American snowboarder takes issue with IOC telling her to cover logo on her board

U.S. snowboarder Julia Marino said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to blame for her recent injury and withdrawal from Monday’s big air qualifier.

According to Marino, the IOC asked her to cover the Prada logo on the base of her board or risk disqualification. The IOC said Prada’s Linea Rossa does not qualify as a legitimate sports brand, and thus Marino had to cover up the logo or use another board.

Marino relented and painted over the letters but fell in practice and bruised her tailbone.

“Was just feeling pretty physically and mentally drained from this distraction and the slam I took,” Marino posted on Instagram. “I was super hyped with how I did in slope, my main event, and decided not to risk further injury even tho [sic] that didn’t appear to be the top priority of the IOC.”

United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee vice president Dean Nakamura wrote a letter to the IOC asking them to reconsider, saying covering the logo was not feasible as it would alter the board, but their appeal was denied.

Marino won a silver medal in the women’s snowboard slopestyle event. She was allowed to use the same board in that event, though she was told to cover the logo on her helmet.