Does Lydia Ko Have an Olympic Tattoo? Mystery Around Her Future Ink Decisions Revealed
Gold within reach, the thrill of victory coursing through her veins! Lydia Ko, a trailblazer in every sense, is on the cusp of Olympic greatness for the third time. Since golf’s return to the Olympic schedule after a 108-year interval in 2016, Ko has been a constant force. In pursuit of gold, the 2024 Paris Olympics are her third attempt to push the boundaries of excellence and clinch her medal trifecta.
But what fuels her relentless pursuit of glory? Perhaps the same fire led her to make a permanent mark on her body—a symbol of her unwavering dedication to the sport she loves. Let’s delve into the story behind Lydia Ko’s Olympic ink.
Lydia Ko’s celebratory Olympics tattoo.
In 2019, the 20-time LPGA Tour winner made a permanent mark on her right biceps—a symbol of her Olympic glory. The tattoo features five rings of the Olympics, accompanied by a fern, representing her first medal at the Olympics: a silver medal won at Rio de Janerio in 2016. Notably, Ko also chose to commemorate the date of her victory, forever etching it alongside the iconic rings.
The 2x Olympic medalist shared the significance of her tattoo with RNZ: “I got the tattoo because I wanted to mark the date I won the medal in Rio because it was my first one. I already have a lot of ink on my body, so I’m not sure if I should be adding any more.”
The fern holds special meaning, reflecting her New Zealand roots and the proud memories of that moment. “It’s got the ferns also, so it reminds me of that special moment, and it gives me a lot of confidence and something I can be really proud of.”
“Representing New Zealand in 2016 was probably one of the biggest highlights of my life, not as a golfer but as a person as well.”
So big that Lydia Ko got an #Olympics tattoo in 2019.
At the top-center is the date she won pic.twitter.com/chR8H7vWVy
— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) August 4, 2021
Ko playfully hinted at the possibility when asked if she plans to add to her tattoo list: “No extra ink, but if I do win gold, then maybe, but I can’t promise anything.” However, this leaves room for speculation: will she add a new symbol, date, or design to her existing tattoos? Perhaps a gold medal design? Whatever the outcome, Ko’s tattoos will continue to tell the story of her remarkable journey, and we can’t wait to see what’s next. But before that happens, let’s learn about another ink that holds deep significance in her life.
Lydia Ko’s another memorable ink
Beyond her Olympic tattoo, Lydia Ko’s body art collection holds another significant piece. The 27-year-old first got inked on the wrist of her right arm. The tattoo reads “April 27, 2014” in Roman numerals. This date commemorates her first win on the LPGA Tour as a pro at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic.
Moreover, the momentous occasion was made all the more special by the presence of her loved ones, including her father, who was there to witness her triumph at just 16 years old. To which she responded, “My parents were there, and I felt like it was a very memorable win, so I got that tatted up.”
As Ko heads closer to the podium, the question remains: will she get another ink as a memento of her much-awaited Olympic gold? Only time will tell.
