Athletes Cupping Bruises Draw Attention at Tokyo Olympics

Athletes from around the world have drawn their bodies in eerie dark circles as the swimming competitions kick-off at the Tokyo Olympics.

The bruises come from a process known as cupping, an ancient treatment with roots in the cultures of the Middle East and Asia. This practice claims to have myriad benefits, such as increasing blood circulation, relieving muscle tension and promoting cell repair.

Cupping is a type of therapy that involves suctioning the skin using glass or plastic cups. Negative pressure is created inside the cup by attaching a suction device to the cup, drawing in air. By tightening the skin, the process is believed to remove pressure from the muscles and connective tissues and enhance blood flow, thus speeding up the body's own healing processes.

This isn't the first time to spot the dark spots on the backs of athletes. Japanese swimmer Akira Namba and Kyle Chalmers of Australia, have been spotted with cupping marks at the Olympics.

In the 2016 Rio Olympics, points can be seen all over gold medalist Michael Phelps racing through the water, while American Alex Naddour had similar ones on his shoulders.

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