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Atlanta’s Olympic Rings: Eyebrow, Navel and More

Olympic athletes in Atlanta are decorated not just in bronze, silver and gold medals, but an assortment of piercings, tattoos and accessories reflecting the personal body style that has become popular among the Olympians’ age group in general. Several Olympics ago, track star Carl Lewis’ box haircut inspired a fad among African American men. Sprinter Florence Griffith-Joyner received as much media attention for her perfect make-up, flashy running gear and long, multicolored fingernails as for her amazing speed.

In 1996, we have sprinter Michael Johnson’s gold shoes, earring and thick gold chain, Dennis Mitchell’s pierced eyebrow and Gail Devers’ long gold nails. Flamboyance is not limited to track and field, either. Consider Lloy Ball of the U.S. volleyball team and Kim Maher of the U.S. women’s softball team: Ball has six tattoos and gold (formerly silver) painted toenails. Maher says she has six tattoos, several earrings and nipple rings. At least 10 athletes boast of pierced navels.

BRETT ANTHONY COLLINS asked Los Angeles area teens and 20-somethings about Olympic body style and its effect on them and their peers.

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JEREMY DELEON

16, junior at Anaheim High School

I am on the varsity soccer team at my school. Guys wear mostly earrings and tattoos, but that’s it. I wouldn’t get my eyebrow pierced because I don’t like that. But if a professional athlete did something I liked, I might copy it. I once saw a soccer player who wears wristbands, so I bought four of them and put them on just like him. I sweat a lot, so I said, “Why not?” I wouldn’t dye my hair because that’s too wild.

The athlete I’ve noticed the most at the Olympics is gymnast Dominique Dawes because she’s good and I like to watch her. And she doesn’t have any tattoos.

MARLENE T. MERAZ

22, of Brentwood, administrative assistant at record company

When I saw the Olympic athletes in their interviews, I noticed how many of them had tattoos and different things that can’t help but make you focus on them. They have so much confidence in themselves that they feel like, “I can wear this and everybody will notice me and I’ll win on top of it.”

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Look, I grew up in East L.A., so tattoos ain’t nothing new, although I didn’t get my first one until I was 18. I chose a butterfly because it seemed to represent the changes I was going through at the time. A couple of years ago, I got my navel pierced. I saw it on a few people and thought I could work it(. I recently got two more tattoos. One is a Taurus glyph with a female symbol at the bottom. The idea for my other tattoo came from one of my closest friends. It’s a “P” with a crown above it. My nickname is “Princess.”

Dennis Rodman was a big inspiration to me because he’s free and different and he doesn’t care what other people think. I admire that. Also, we’re both Taureans. I don’t think there are any athletes participating in the Olympics who will have the influence he’s had.

I’m more likely to get tattoos and piercings than to wear long, colored nails and gold shoes because they tend to be more symbolic as opposed to polish, which will come off, and shoes, which wear out.

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JOSEPH CRINER

21, of Inglewood, CSUN student and group counselor for the Inglewood Department of Parks and Recreation.

Everybody has something that is their claim to fame--something that gives them some individuality--and hopefully people won’t take it too far and let it overshadow their ability. As a sprinter, I’ve always tried to keep my individuality. For instance, when I run, I wear real tiny shorts. I’m 6-feet-5--which is a little taller than most sprinters--and I want everybody to see me because people underestimate me because I’m a tall sprinter.

But you’re not at the Olympics to show off your nail polish or to show off your hair. You’re there to do your best in whatever discipline you’re in.

I’m a big fan of Michael Johnson because he’s got the passion for the sport. Not too loud. He makes most of his statements with his running. Not too flashy. He’s very, very dedicated to the sport. He’s not trying to be a football player or a star. He just wants to run track. He’s never been accused of steroid use. He’s clean. That’s what it’s all about.

ELLEN MUENCH

18, of Northridge, CSUN student and track athlete

Some of the Olympians are flamboyant, but] not me personally. It’s like a fashion type of thing. I hope student athletes don’t start wearing silver toenail polish.

I think some of it is a little bit of ego on the part of the athletes, but it’s mostly a fashion statement. All those wild kinds of things are coming out now and it’s all part of being yourself. I have noticed hairdos that are a little unusual at times. One of my teammates puts his hair up in a huge pony tail sometimes. I think it’s funny. I think he enjoys being different when he competes. I don’t do anything unusual because I just don’t feel comfortable putting my hair up in weird ways. I might paint my nails a bright red because I like red. I think we’re a lot more into expression at this time, kind of like the ‘60s. I actually think that’s good. People feel like it’s OK to be themselves.

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The athlete who I’ve noticed the most is the 14-year-old girl from Irvine, Amanda Bears, who won a silver medal in the 100-meter breast stroke. She’s so young and accomplished. She’s high spirited and really happy about what she did. She didn’t win first, but she was happy with what she got. She’ll probably be able to go back to the Olympics at least once more before ending her career.

TIFFANY DUBOIS

17, of Santa Ana, performer in Disneyland parade

Long nails and tattoos are just the athletes’ way of catching their fans’ eyes. They are being themselves. If I was in the Games, I would do the same thing because that’s just the way I am, too. I have a total of six earrings in my ears and I found a tattoo that I want to get, but I didn’t get the idea from an athlete or anyone else. I don’t follow the crowd like that.

The media has made it seem like the fun has been taken out it for the athletes and that it’s all about winning. That’s not the way it should be. Participating in the Olympics should be an overall experience for yourself. Winning a gold medal should be something to strive for but it shouldn’t be the basis for why you’re there. You should be there for the love of the sport.

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