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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport

Badges of honour

Michael Phelps of the US
Michael Phelps has two tattoos peeking out of his trunks - one of the Olympic rings and the other an M for the University of Michigan Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP
A Brazilian swimmer
A member of the Brazilian swimming squad boasts a patriotic tattoo Photograph: Michael Bureau/AFP
A tattoo on a swimmer's thigh during a training session
'Life is beautiful' according to this member of the Italian swimming team Photograph: Thomas Kienzle/AP
Samoa's weightlifter Ele Opeloge
Weightlifter Ele Opeloge of Samoa with her 'malu', a tattoo that symbolises coming of age and respect for one's culture and society Photograph: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA
Track cyclist James Staff, of Great Britain
British track cyclist James Staff's machine-like tattoo Photograph: Martin Bernetti/AFP
Natalia Valeeva of Italy as she competes in the women's archery individual ranking round
Italian archer Natalia Valeeva sports an appropriate image on her shin Photograph: Ruben Sprich/Reuters
Alain Bernard of France attends swimming practice
Alain Bernard of France with his shark tattoo Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters
Louis Smith of Great Britain during the mens gymnastics qualifyer
Great Britain gymnast Louis Smith Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian
A swimmer with a shark tattoo
A swimmer scares off opponents with his shark tattoo Photograph: Cameron Spencer/AFP
Archer Laurence Godfrey of Britain as he shoots during the men's team competition
Like collecting medals, archer Laurence Godfrey awards himself a new tattoo for each games he competes in Photograph: Jewel Samad/AFP
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