Who are the most tattooed swimmers? Has the title changed hands? From personal experience, I can tell you that tattoos are definitely addicting, so the arms race for the most ink is always up for grabs.

I did a very thorough internet search for the most tattooed aquatic athletes, including synchronized swimmers and water polo players. I limited the search to elite level athletes that you might have a chance to see in the media.

I hope I didn’t miss any! If you know of an elite aquatic athlete with a lot of tattoos, post a link in the comments section. Now allow me to present the Top 6 Most Tattooed Swimmers in no particular order:

Franziska van Almsick (German Swimmer)


Anastasia Davydova (Russian Synchronized Swimmer)

Fr

A few hours ago, the Arena Water Instinct page on Facebook posted photos from their global print campaign featuring a “Dream Team” of 11 top swimming stars. This is the first time an international line-up has appeared in the same Arena ad campaign, and it is quite the diverse group!

From the press release, the “dream team” includes:

“Brazilian Cesar Cielo, … German Paul Biedermann, … Frenchman Alain Bernard, … Americans Aaron Peirsol, … Rebecca Soni, … and Eric Shanteau, … the Dane Lotte Friis, … Swede Therese Alshammar, … British sprinter Francesca Halsall, … Tunisian Oussama Mellouli, … and the Serb Milorad Cavic” (source).

> Santa Clara Sprinter Nathan Adrian sweeps the 50m and 100m freestyle Swim Network
> Star sightings: Michael Phelps back with Miss California LA Times Blog
> Swimmer Phelps to tee off in Chinese Pro-Am event Reuters
> Search #SwimBlogsUnited on Twitter
> Unconventional Abs Swimming Science
> The History Behind Prince Albert’s Engagement to an Olympic Swimmer Gold Medal Mel
> FINIS Turnmaster Pro FINIS
> Alain Bernard from Arena Water Instinct via the17thman

> Alain Bernard Wearing a Prototype of the Arena X-Glide Swimsuit from the17thman
> Fitness Basics: Swimming Is for Everyone by WebMD
> Feeding Wild Dolphins is Illegal, Cartoon PSA from Dolphin Research Center
> In The Arena: Cesar Cielo Vs Alain Bernard by SwimNews.com
> 19th Century Pool Toys, A History of Gadgets and Fins on BNET
> $20 Onion Goggles? Just Use Your Swim Goggles on Chowhound
> Paula Abdul: Adam Lambert is Like Michael Phelps via The Huffington Post
> The Most Informative Article I Have Ever Read Regarding the Jaked! from SCAQ Blog

Alain Bernard set a world record in the 100m Freestyle yesterday (photo gallery), April 23rd, in a time of 46.94 (source). Bernard became the first man in history to break 47 seconds. However.

Bernard might as well have set the record on a jet ski, because entering a WaveRunner in the event would have been just as legal as his unapproved Arena suit.

In all seriousness, the Arena X-Glide suit that helped Bernard break the record surely doesn’t offer the same advantage as an on-board motor. However, as Craig Lord of Swim News writes: “ratification of the record would require retrospective approval of the suit that Bernard wore.” Bernard’s coach, Denis Auguin, argued that the swimmer did the best he could, and was wearing new equipment just like everyone else (source).

But wearing an unapproved product for the first time in competition is clearly not just like everyone else. The appearance of the X-Glide in a record-setting race just adds to the confusing and questionable circumstances surrounding the sport’s integrity.

Luckily (hopefully) FINA has been making progress on the suit testing protocol. According to a FINA spokesperson who spoke with Swim News, a single list of suits that are and are not approved should be out some time in May (source).

> Bernard World Record Must Not Be Approved By FINA by Swimming World Magazine
> Bernard Sets 100m Freestyle WR by Universal Sports
> FINA Suit List Due May; Bernard ‘Body’ In Testing by Swim News Online