Stars explain what tattoos mean to them

Budapest – World records have tumbled and gold medals won but the colourful array of tattoos on show at the world swimming championships in Hungary have proved just as eye-catching, be they designs of sharks, dolphins or anything else.

A vast array of images, script, and secretive symbols adorned the bodies of competitors, from flowing and harmonious waves to powerful and speedy creatures of the deep.

The Olympic rings – a proud stamp on the skin of the swimmers who competed at a Games – are also common, but some of the world’s fastest have explained the thinking behind the artwork on their bodies.

Britain’s Adam Peaty (right) has been one of the stand-out performers with two world records and golds in the men’s 50m and 100m breaststroke.

Peaty had a large tattoo of a lion inked onto his left shoulder after winning the Olympic 100m breaststroke title last year in Rio de Janeiro.

“The tattoo is more about training for me,” said the 22-year-old in Budapest.

“When you wake up, you look in the mirror and you go to the pool. It reminds me of the hard work I put in to win in Rio, while I am swimming.

“It also keeps me grounded and passionate about what I do, it reminds me of how I got there.

“It is great to have a reminder, it’s getting extended in a few days,” he added without wanting to give away the future design.

Bruno Fratus, who took silver in the men’s 50m freestyle on Saturday behind Caeleb Dressel of the USA, explained how his winged tattoo was done on a whim.

“I trust the guy who does my tattoos so much that I just give him my arms and say ‘do whatever you feel like as long as it’s not too crazy’ as I still got to wear short sleeves,” the 28-year-old told AFP.

“As long as I have space and money I’ll keep doing it.