On Tuesday, Mirai Nagasu made history when she nailed the triple axel at the Olympics, becoming the first female American figure skater to do so and only the third woman to successfully complete it during the event.
The 24-year-old earned the bronze medal for Team USA, finishing with a 137.53 overall score. Canada came in first, claiming the gold medal, and Russia earned the silver.
While everyone in the United States is still reeling from her triumph, many are asking themselves: what was the long, dark band down Mirai’s leg, which can be seen throughout her performance?
Upon closer inspection, it reads “USA” in big, bold letters on the inside of her right leg.
Some even speculated that it was a tattoo! But this theory was quickly shot down by the company KT Tape, which provides elastic sports tape (Kinesio tape) “designed to relieve pain while supporting muscles, tendons, and ligaments,” according to their website.
The company wrote on Twitter: “Everyone is wondering, but that’s no tattoo on @mirai_nagasu’s leg, that’s
#KTTape PRO USA tape! We’re proud to provide pain relief and support to #TeamUSA”
Mirai addressed the strange theory herself, writing, “This is the first I’m hearing of this but definitely not a big bold tattoo.”
Please SHARE if you’re following the 2018 Winter Olympics very closely and if you’re rooting for Team USA!
CORRECTION: February 13, 2018
An earlier version of this story said Mirai Nagasu nailed her triple axel on Tuesday. She accomplished it Monday, February 12, 2018.
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