MATT RICHARDS’ tattooed right arm tells the story of his life — and he wants to keep on writing new chapters.
The Team GB swim star — who won gold as part of the men’s 4×200 metres relay team in Tokyo three years ago — has inked his background on to his arm, using it as an inspiration for his Olympic dream.
Richards, 21, explained: “Most of the ones all over my arm are family related.
“The big lion on the top of my shoulder is to represent my dad, Simon.
“His favourite animal is a lion, so that one there is for him. It’s got a big scar across its eye — because my dad’s a big ugly unit of a bloke. He’s a big softie, really!
“And then on the inside of my arm, just the other side of that, I have got a tiger, which is my mum Amanda’s favourite animal.
“So it’s a little bit less of a big ugly brute than the one on the outside.
“Family to me is the most important thing in the world.
“Everything I’ve done in the pool and everything I get to do in the pool is amazing.
“But if you told me I had to choose between swimming and my family, it wouldn’t even be a contest.
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“I wouldn’t have to think about it. So it’s a big part of who I am.”
The Worcester-born freestyle specialist added: “Down on the bottom of my hand, I’ve got the Olympic rings tattoo.
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Paris 2024 Olympics – Opening Ceremony
Only one show in town today.. just about!
The historic Opening Ceremony which is taking place on the River Seine rather than a stadium ends proceedings on Friday evening.
While there has been football and rugby sevens among events which started before the ceremony this week, they will not be taking place on the day of the big bash.
Only shooting pre-event training will take place on the day of the Opening Ceremony.
Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.
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“Every single stroke, every time I put my hands down to start on the blocks, it always reminds me of what I’m working towards and something that’s been a childhood dream of mine.
“I got that one there after Tokyo, along with the coordinates of the pool in Tokyo, just on the inside of my pinkie finger.
“Then after the Games, I’ll have the coordinates of the pool in Paris on one of the other fingers.
“Who knows how many fingers I’ll need by the time I retire?
“That’s the route we’ll go down. It’s just the one arm for now.
“I’ll probably end up getting more but, for now, it’s just that one arm.”
