Why Were Olympic Athletes & Other Celebs Spotted with Dark Red Circles on Their Bodies?

This year’s Olympics are now in full swing and it’s all eyes on the athletes.

From archery and shooting to athletics and gymnastics, there’s all kind of sports taking place across Paris, France, at the moment.

One fan-favorite sport to watch is the swimming, and this year there’s a whopping 854 athletes from 187 different countries competing.

But there’s a common theme you might have spotted with some of the swimmers and that’s the unusual dark red circles they have on their backs.

Swimmer pictured at Tokyo 2020 with circular bruising. (OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

While it might look like they’ve had a fight with an octopus and lost, there’s a very different reason for the odd markings.

It turns out that the large spots are from cupping therapy – an ancient healing technique that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction and increase blood flow to the area.

The unconventional method is supposed to help with muscle recovery and is used as a type of deep tissue massage.

Some athletes were spotted with cupping therapy bruises back at the Rio Olympics in 2016, and it’s still seemingly popular now.

Michael Phelps seen with cupping therapy bruises on his shoulders. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Gymnast Alexander Naddour told USA Today back in 2016 that cupping was supposedly the ‘secret’ to his health.

He added: “It’s been better than any money I’ve spent on anything else.”

Away from the Games, basketball player Kyle Singler has also praised cupping therapy.

“The bruises do look more intense than what they actually feel like, but the benefit from it is really great,” he previously insisted.

Singler continued to tell Sports Illustrated: “You’re not necessarily getting the immediate response that you might want but over time it does help with recovery and loosening tissue and stuff like that.”

But does cupping therapy actually work according to experts? It’s seems as if the jury’s still out.

Experts are still unsure of the full benefits of cupping therapy. (Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

According to Harvard Health, some studies have found that cupping might provide some relief for a number of musculoskeletal and sports-related conditions. The quality of this evidence was ‘limited’, however.

Elsewhere a 2022 review found that wet (as opposed to dry cupping) was effective for lower back pain.

While the bruises people get from cupping are pretty gnarly, the therapy is generally seen as safe to practice – even if people aren’t 100 percent on how affective it is.

“Most experts agree that cupping is safe. As long as those treated don’t mind the circular discolorations (which fade over a number of days or weeks), side effects tend to be limited to the pinch experienced during skin suction,” Harvard Health explains.

“It’s quite unusual that cupping causes any serious problems (though, rarely, skin infections have been reported).”

There you have it, folks.

This 1955 song is one of the best ever recorded

Written by Alex North and Hy Zaret in 1955, this song is one of the most iconic ever, with its influence spanning decades.

Originally performed by Todd Duncan, it has since been covered by over 670 artists in different languages, but The Righteous Brothers’ 1965 version brought it lasting fame.

Their rendition is often considered the definitive version, with its soaring vocals and emotional depth capturing listeners around the world.

The song’s emotional intensity, highlighted by its powerful high notes, continues to resonate with listeners.

On a video of the song, which has reached 76 million views, one fan even commented: “I swear I can feel the chills going up and down my back when he hits those high notes. I feel like crying knowing that this amazing man is gone.”

In addition to The Righteous Brothers, Elvis Presley also gave Unchained Melody a new dimension when he performed it live.

Elvis, known for his versatility and charisma, added his own emotional weight to the song during his later years, captivating audiences with his impassioned delivery.

His version has helped the song maintain its timeless appeal and secure a place in pop culture history.

Elvis Presley rides in car.
Elvis Presley with girlfriend Linda Thompson at the Hilton Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio. Credit: Tom Wargacki / WireImage / Getty.

Elvis’ impact on Unchained Melody cannot be overstated. His influence not only kept the song in the limelight but also expanded its reach to new audiences.

His live renditions became legendary, proving his unique ability to make any song his own.

Even today, both The Righteous Brothers’ and Elvis’ versions keep the song alive, making it one of the most beloved ballads of all time!

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