The Paris 2024 Olympics kicked off on July 27, 2024, with a breathtaking opening ceremony along the Seine River. Roughly 6,800 athletes from 205 teams took part in the ceremony, boarding boats to signify the start of the Games.

**Wang Qun**

Ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, swimmer Wang Qun was photographed by the pool, her skin glistening with water. The criss-cross design of her swimsuit exposed multiple red circular marks on her back, which caught viewers’ attention.

**Michael Phelps**

When Michael Phelps celebrated his gold medal win in the Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay at the Rio 2016 Olympics, people couldn’t help but notice several round red marks on his shoulders.

**Alexander Naddour**

American gymnast Alexander Naddour also displayed a noticeable red circular mark on his right arm at the Rio 2016 Olympics as he prepared to perform on the pommel horse.

**Ruta Meilutyte**

During the Women’s 100m Breaststroke Semifinal at Rio 2016, swimmer Ruta Meilutyte showed a red circle on her right arm, another example of this recurring trend.

**Nicolo Martinenghi**

Continuing the trend seen in past Olympics, Italian swimmer and gold medalist Nicolo Martinenghi also had prominent red circles on his back during the Paris 2024 Olympics.

**Jennifer Aniston**

This phenomenon isn’t limited to athletes. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston have been seen with these marks too, such as at the premiere of *Call Me Crazy* in Los Angeles in 2013.

**Gwyneth Paltrow**

The unique red circles first garnered attention at the Olympics, but Gwyneth Paltrow was seen with them almost two decades ago, long before they became a topic of discussion. These marks, known as cupping marks, result from a traditional therapy called cupping, where suction is used to stimulate circulation and alleviate muscle tension.