AUSTRALIAN athletes' love affair with tattoos at the Olympic Games may be under threat.
The Australian Olympic Committee's medical director yesterday told key stakeholders that tattoos should be avoided in Asian countries.
The AOC has concerns about tattoos due to the risk of athletes contracting hepatitis B.
"You should get them when you get home and don't get them in China and throughout Asia,' Australian team medical director Peter Baquie said.
"We are not saying don't have a tattoo but just get it done here and not there. It is not worth risking long term risk to your health."
Baquie has urged athletes to resist the urge of getting tattoos as a permanent reminder of their Beijing experience and possible success in competition.
"Body piercing and tattoos and sexual spread are the three modes of spread,' Baquie said.
"It's blood born and needles spread and I'm not keen on them contracting hepatitis B."
But Baquie says the threat of bird flu will be minimal in Beijing.
The AOC's senior most medical official is content with the measures being undertaken.
"If we can back it up with aggressive screening and identify the undiagnosed asthmatic then we will be in pretty good shape,' Baquie said.
"I was there in October and I was impressed with what the Chinese are doing to minimise pollution and make certain the athletes welfare is paramount."
