Ink or swim? Tattoos on show at world swimming championships

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World records have tumbled and gold medals won but the colorful array of tattoos on show at the world swimming championships have proved just as eye-catching.

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 Games – are also common, but some of the world's fastest have explained the thinking behind the art work on their bodies.

Maves Williams, grandmother of Great Britain's swimmer Adam Peaty, shows off her temporary tattoo, just like his grandson's, during the swimming competition at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest / AFP Photo

Britain's Peaty has been one of the stand-out performers at the Duna Arena 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.

At the 2017 FINA World Championships, his grandmother showed up with a temporary lion tattoo in her arm that matches his.

"That was crazy, I actually thought she had had a proper tattoo done, I thought 'oh my god, what has she done, but she loves it," said Peaty with a grin.

Brazil's Bruno Fratus reacts after competing in the men's 50m freestyle final at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest./ AFP Photo

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 badly 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.

Fratus' compatriot, Etiene Medeiros won the women's 50m backstroke gold on Thursday and explained the differing motivations for her tattoos.

A picture of Etiene Medeiros / bestswim.com

"I have an ocean mermaid on my forearm to bring its energy into my life, beneath it a lotus flower, which is rising from the ashes like a phoenix," said the 26-year-old Brazilian.

"Beneath that, an 'ohana' tattoo to remind me how blessed I am to have my family and friends. On my ankles, I have the name of my father and mother, I also have other ones which are hidden."

South African-born Dutch swimmer Kyle Stolk boasts a springbok and an Irish shamrock displayed on a resplendent Dutch flag.

A screen shot of tweet posted by Kyle Stolk / Twitter

"I wanted to incorporate the three places that have made me where I am today," said the swimmer, who learned his trade in Dublin, before moving to the Netherlands who he represented at the Rio Olympics.

"It might be too flamboyant for some people but it means a lot to me, it's who I am," he said.

(Source: Reuters)