Tattoos have long been used by many cultures around the world to ensure good luck and fortune and a propitious outcome and so are athletes in certain sports..
The most common is the Olympic flag with five interlaced rings in the centre: blue, yellow, black, green and red. This design is symbolic and it represents the five inhabited continents of the world, united by Olympism.
Olympic tattoos will be a lifetime souvenir. Checkout some interesting tattoo designs by athletes:
A tattoo of the Olympic rings is seen on Nicholas Robinson Baker of Britain after he dives during the Men's Synchronised 3m Springboard preliminary round at the FINA Diving World Cup at the Olympic Aquatics Centre in London February 20, 2012ReutersA tattoo of the 2008 Beijing Olympics is pictured on the back of Asdis Hjalmsdottir of Iceland during the women's javelin throw qualifying event at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu September 1, 2011.ReutersA tattoo of a maple leaf and the Olympic rings is seen on the back of Canada's Brent Hayden as he competes in the men's 100m freestyle heats at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai July 27, 2011.ReutersChristopher Mears (L) and Nicholas Robinson Baker (R) of Britain dive during the Men's Synchronised 3m Springboard preliminary round at the FINA Diving World Cup at the Olympic Aquatics Centre in London February 20, 2012.ReutersKathleen Hersey, who won first place in the women's 200m butterfly final race, sports an olympic tattoo on her thigh at the Santa Clara International Grand Prix swim competition in Santa Clara, California, June 19, 2011.ReutersPictogram tattoos of the disciplines of the decathlon are seen on the legs of Andrei Krauchanka of Belarus during his pole vault event of the men's decathlon in the athletics competition in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 22, 2008.ReuteresJuan Guillermo Uran of Colombia competes in the men's 10m platform diving final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 23, 2008.ReutersThe Olympic logo is tattooed on the chest of a swimmer at the National Aquatics Centre, also known as the Water Cube, ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 7, 2008.ReutersA tattoo is seen on the back of Cassius Duran of Brazil during diving practice at the National Aquatics Centre, also known as the Water Cube, ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 4, 2008.ReutersA tattoo in the shape of Brazil is seen on the back of Hugo Parisi of Brazil during his 10m diving platform practice session for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 4, 2008.Reuters
