New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko has immortalized her Olympic achievements in a permanent way, celebrating her historic career with a tattoo that reflects her unprecedented success.
At 27, Ko became the most decorated Olympian in golf history after winning a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This victory completed her remarkable collection of Olympic medals, which includes a silver from the Rio 2016 Games and a bronze from Tokyo 2020. To honor this historic trifecta, Ko turned to the same tattoo artist who inked her Olympic Rings in 2019.
Ko reached out to Playground Tattoo in Korea, asking for a design that would symbolize her achievements. “I really like my Olympic Rings [tattoo],” Ko said. “When I won the gold, I contacted the tattoo artist and asked if he had any ideas to represent the three medals.” The artist proposed a design featuring the skylines of the three Olympic host cities, incorporating iconic landmarks from each: Christ the Redeemer in Rio, Mount Fuji in Tokyo, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. After reviewing several designs, Ko chose the one that resonated most with her.
The landmarks in the tattoo carry personal significance for Ko, representing each city’s role in her Olympic journey. “The idea was, depending on the medal color, the landmarks would vary in height,” Ko explained. “Even though Mount Fuji is the tallest in real life, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest in my tattoo because of the gold medal.”
Known for her love of fine-line tattoos, Ko wanted the new design to blend seamlessly with her existing ink. “All my favorite tattoos are very fine lines,” she shared. “Although I have a couple of bulkier ones, I think I’ll stick to fine lines for any future tattoos.”
With this permanent tribute, Ko reflects on her unforgettable Olympic journey and the legacy she has etched into both the history books and her skin.
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