By Andrew Jovanovic, Swimming World College Intern
Whether it’s something you want to acknowledge or not, there exists a culture of tattoos in the sport of swimming. Unlike other sports, it is almost impossible (unless you are pretty creative) to hide a tattoo. Since we stretch, train, and compete with minimal amounts of clothing, what we put on our bodies becomes a symbol of who we are and what we want the world to know about us.
With swimming in particular, there is extra significance to what appears on our skin, since we cannot hide what we put on our bodies. Permanent markings allow swimmers to share with the world their philosophies, their personalities, and their competitiveness.
Strength and Honor
Nicholas Petersen, a sophomore at Northwestern University, has three tattoos. Two of the three are on his hips which are usually covered by a drag suit or a fast skin. However, the most visible permanent mark is located on his right bicep, “Voimasta Ja Kunniasta” or “Strength and Honor” in Finnish.
“I got it to serve as a reminder,” remarks Petersen. “Whenever I’m feeling down I can remind myself of my goals and to be a man.”
In swimming you have to be strong and put in tremendous amounts of work. Having a reminder is what humbles some and allows them to carry on. Finding the different ways to stay engaged and focused on goals is what makes sport so interesting.
“As for the honor part of the tattoo, a good way to find motivation is to find the honor one has for your family, your goals, and your team,” Petersen said. “In competition, simply put, the strength part reminds me of the confidence in the training I’ve done and the honor reminds me behind the blocks of who I compete for.”
Photo Courtesy: Andrew Jovanovic
The Summer of ’04
Wisconsin junior Cannon Clifton currently has two tattoos with the most important and commanding one being displayed on his left bicep in the form of Roman numerals “MMIV” or in Arabic form “2004.”
“I chose Latin because I didn’t want a standard look,” commented Clifton on the uniqueness of his bold four numerals. “It reminds me of the turning point in my life and the sport.”
Photo Courtesy: Andrew Jovanovic
“It (2004) was when my mom started coaching me and when I started to get really serious about swimming.” MMIV embodies a waypoint in Clifton’s life in which a conscious decision was made. “That year was the start of my passion for the sport and where that love began.”
When you permanently mark your skin in such a visible spot, you see it all the time and its always there. It serves as an articulation of one’s philosophy and personality as a swimmer.
“I am lucky to see it all the time. In terms of competition, it reminds me to go out and have fun. Other than being a reminder of why I started and continue to swim, it beckons to me to push through hard times both in and out of the pool,” Clifton said.
He conquers, who conquers himself
With a nod towards antiquity and class, Hawkeye junior Kyle Patnode describes one of the two tattoos he wears, the Latin phrase “vincit, qui se vincit,” idiomatically translated for the non-Latin major as, ‘He conquers, who conquers himself’.”
“Before meets, my teacher would always tell me this quote as a way of showing her support,” recalls Patnode of his former mentor. “She was my my favorite teacher. I looked up to her like a second mom. We had a very close relationship and it was that bond that supported me athletically and academically. She knew what was up and what needed to be done.”
Even though Latin quotes are somewhat common, it shows understanding and forethought when put to use with the knowledge of conjugations and declensions. It also serves as a reminder through the hard times.
Photo Courtesy: Andrew Jovanovic
“I got it after freshman year after not making the Big Ten squad. Getting the quote helped me keep my head up and reminds me to do so what the going get tough,” Patnode said.
The other tattoo is worn on Patnode’s back and is of the iconic Hawkeye.
Photo Courtesy: Andrew Jovanovic
“For me the Hawkeye equals tradition. So many of the guys would get it and during my freshman year, a lot of the seniors had it. It was something I looked up to,” reminisced Patnode. “We are a team that sticks together. Family: united and together. To represent that on your shoulder forever is very important to me and the guys who have it.”
Tattoos are found everywhere and carry different meanings. For swimmers, by the virtue of our “uniform” the act of marking ourselves speaks volumes to who we are and what we are made of. Whether it be a philosophy of pushing through the hard times, a comment on the personalities that carry the ink, or the subtle reminders of competition confidence, the tattoo culture in swimming is not going to vanish anytime soon.
When I swam in college West Chester University was known as the most tattooed team in our conference (PSAC). Almost everyone of us had at least 1 tattoo. I love my tattoos and have WCU Swimming on my hip bone with e shamrock for good luck. Plus other tattoos as well
Is it true you can’t swim in the Olympics if you have a tattoo?
No. Anthony Ervin.
Our friend & tattooed Olympian Anthony Ervin definitively says “no” 🙂
Oh thank you! My son is a national swimmer and competed last week for 5 days 🙂 he is a breaststroker and backstroker. I’ll show him this post. He’ll be stoked!! He turns 16 on Friday and is 6’3 lol.
My son was a swimmer and has two tattoos on his back. I always said to him that he could only put them where they did not show out of his clothes as one day he will be in the Corporate world and you cannot have tattoos showing everywhere. His are very tastefully done.
I’ve always preferred to wear mine on the inside, but if that’s what it takes to keep yourself motivated, knock yourself out!!
It starts with the Sharpie….
Yes it does all of the little Bantam swimmers it all started using sharpies to write things on their bodies
I like fake tattoos for swimming
Thank you, Suzanne. 🙂
Pushing “Not Like..” Ugly. Sad. Not a good roll model for kids. Just sayn’????
This is the 21st century.
I know…I have grand kids swimming. I have a tat. Mine was being in ’84 Olympics. I’m kinda with it;-). Just not wanting the total body paint.
You’re absolutely right that people with tattoos are bad role models for kids. I mean all people with tattoos are bad people ?
This is great!
It should say Swimming AND DIVING!
Pretty disappointed this didn’t have a female example in the article
♡
“culture” retrograde seems to me. Although, every one have the right to express the way it likes.
Shannon Denson Clifton ?
Jovarn Broughton
Timothy
Kevin King
Connor Pierce
Lilly Etlinger
Brian Thomas
Just remember it’s forever Al!
I know I’m done
Aidan Borse
Péter Bernek
Swimmers bodies have to be the best looking in the sporting world. Why spoil them. Just saying…..that’s all ?
I have Pegasus..The horse Of Gods?Is free Like me
Vandalism, same as graffiti.
Lauren Diehl
Kate Vanderbeek
LeeAnne Quattropani
Ryan Kleinert
Dan Arnamnart
Aisha thought this might interest you
Yes thanks!
Bailee Spivey
So being old, female, and having a traditional tattoo doesn’t help in some circumstances. Traditional tattoos were the whole point of the ban.