GracieMag.com reported on 8/9/2011 that IBJJF director Marcelo Araujo sent an email to the magazine clarifying the new gi rule changes that are planned to go into effect in 2012. The new rule would require, in some IBJJF tournaments, black belts to have two gis with them (1 blue and 1 white) in order to lessen referee errors in discerning between two opponents during a given match.
In a post on 7/25/2011, GracieMag reported:
"According to recent studies in Europe, this simple measure spares the referees’ eye sight and reduces refereeing mistakes by 20% in martial arts competitions."
In an article from 8/9/2011 on GracieMag.com, the magazine reported:
“According to the new rules, which will enter into effect in 2012, the IBJJF requires that, in some championships, black belts have two gis with them – one blue and the other white. At first the changes will only apply to divisions to be broadcast on TV or over the internet.
“But, with exception to these competitions, navy blue and black gis will still be permitted.”
So far– Kids, juvenile, and adult white through brown belts will not be affected by the new 2012 rule change.