Team GB banned from using 'illegal' item at Winter Olympics

Ah, let’s be honest, it’s never the Olympic Games, Winter or Summer, if there isn’t the odd scandal or controversy, is it?

And with the whole penis enlargement scandal rumbling on and a presenter getting caught on a hot mic this early on, this year doesn’t look like it’s going to disappoint.

The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics had its opening ceremony on Friday (6 January) and with 53 athletes and two reserves, Team GB have representatives in 11 disciplines this Games.

But there’s been a slight hiccup in one of them, as we’ve been banned from using an ‘illegal’ item for the head.

And no, before you start, this has nothing to do with the aforementioned big d**k scandal.

Instead, Great Britain’s Olympic skeleton team have been banned from wearing its new aerodynamic helmets for the sport.

The British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association had appealed the decision. (BBSA)

The team had hoped to use them in the competition in Cortina next week, but insist this ban won’t affect their medal bid.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld an earlier ruling by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) that the equipment contravened existing rules.

It decided the helmets were illegal because its ‘rear significantly protrudes’.

The team had started using the new kit last week in St Moritz, and in its appeal, the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association argued that it was compliant with the rules. They said that it had been manufactured without any elements attached and argued the new elements (understood to be ridges) did not constitute ‘aerodynamic modifications’.

But the governing body of the sport, International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), did not agree, saying the new design was aerodynamic and did not comply with the rules.

CAS sided with them, saying the new helmet ‘departs from the standard shape and reflects a novel design specifically developed to enhance aerodynamic performance where the rear considerably protrudes’.

They have to stick to the previous design. (Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP via Getty Images)

British skeleton performance director Natalie Dunman was disappointed with this decision as she said: “Based on the strength of the case we put forward, naturally we are disappointed in today’s decision.

“However, this does not affect our final preparations and nor has the discourse affected the athletes’ focus or optimism going into the Games.

“Our athletes have been winning medals all season and throughout the Olympic cycle in their current helmets and we remain in a strong position to continue that trend.”

Anyway, despite this helmet ban, Team GB still remain favourites to win multiple medals when the skeleton event kicks off on Thursday.