You possibly can’t see Dutch gymnast Casimir Schmidt’s tattoos when he’s spinning furiously on the Pommel horse or flying via his tumbling passes in ground occasions. It’s solely when he stops flipping that you could be discover two particular tattoos on his arm: Mythic Pokémon Mew and Mushroom Kingdom (and TikTok) icon Toad.
The world seen Schmidt’s tattoos in the course of the 2024 Olympic Video games in Paris, the place Schmidt competed each individually and as a part of the Dutch nationwide group. Naturally, you’d suppose having a Mew tattoo would imply it’s Schmidt’s favorite Pokémon — but you’d be flawed. Schmidt informed Polygon that his favorite Pokémon is definitely Charmeleon, which evolves from Charmander and evolves into Charizard. He doesn’t have a Charmeleon tattoo simply but, but it’s on the docket.
Calling in from Paris, Schmidt spoke to Polygon about his tattoos, favorite Pokémon, and gaming on the Olympics.
[Ed. note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.]
Polygon: How have the Olympics been? Are you continue to in Paris?
Casimir Schmidt: Yeah, I nonetheless am in Paris. I’m coaching proper now, as a result of certainly one of my teammates nonetheless has a remaining. I’m accompanying him, and it’s been a blast. After all, there was stuff that we hoped went higher, but it’s been profitable. I’m actually completely happy.
I [and lots of other people] noticed you had Toad and Mew in your arm. Do you’ve gotten another gaming tattoos?
I don’t, really. I’m simply checking my arm now. I’ve no clue for a few of the issues. But no, I don’t. I believe it’s simply because I’m not a massive gamer. But however, I did play all of the Nintendo video games once I was youthful, particularly Mario Kart. That’s in all probability why. And a lot of Pokémon.
I even have a lot of tattoos and might relate. Isn’t it humorous how straightforward it’s to neglect what you’ve gotten? I’m going to ask you a query I hate to be requested, which is: Do the Mew and Toad tattoos have any particular meanings behind them?
Actually, no. Mew is only one of my favorite Pokémon. My favorite one is Charmeleon. It’s going to be there some day. I don’t know when but, but it’s going to be there. Toad is the one I at all times raced in Mario Kart. That’s mainly it.
However the story behind them… I used to be getting tattooed and my mother was going to get one thing too. My mother went first, and we have been simply ready. There was this new man who’s now a buddy of mine, and he simply began tattooing — like two or three individuals. He was like, “Yeah, I’m bored.” And I used to be like, “Do you want to practice? You can just put something on me?” I noticed he had drawn Mew, and I used to be like, “Yeah, let’s go.”
I believe a yr later, I used to be with one other buddy of mine, an ex-Olympian who did quick observe [speedskating] within the Winter Video games. We have been simply chatting, as a result of he had simply began tattooing too. His very first tattoo on any individual was me. It was a bit crooked, but it was enjoyable. It’s a good factor to recollect. But a yr later, he bought method higher and works in a tattoo store now. He was like, “Yeah, come over.” So I got here there and he was like, “Do you want Toad?” I used to be like, “I kind of do.” After which I bought Toad.
It wasn’t actually deliberate or something. Mew and Toad are two of essentially the most enjoyable ones for me.
You talked about you’re not the most important gamer, but do you continue to play video video games?
I nonetheless play Fortnite. I used to play FIFA a lot once I was youthful, and Pokémon, Mario Kart, Nintendo [games] on the Wii, like Wii Sports activities. I wasn’t actually a gamer as in Name of Responsibility. But six years in the past or one thing, a buddy of mine began taking part in a new recreation Fortnite. I’m nonetheless not actually nice. I similar to taking part in it. But I don’t play alone. I’m solely on-line when my mates are taking part in, so we are able to discuss.
As an elite gymnast, or a excessive degree sportsman or girl, we simply don’t have a lot of time. And everytime you do have time, you don’t wish to exit of the home or have your folks over daily. It’s a good alternative to attach with mates.
It’s simply enjoyable. It’s enjoyable for those who die, and also you snigger at your folks. You get mad at somebody, you then snigger some extra. It’s simply a enjoyable factor.
Are you taking part in the brand new season?
The one with the automobiles? That was tough. However the Unfolded one was very nice — the one with the small map with Tilted and stuff. That was good. But then I left for the Olympics, so I’m curious what they’ve once I get again.
So no gaming on the Olympics for you?
We do have a PlayStation in our housing, but we simply play FIFA in there. I don’t know if there’s a PlayStation within the housing within the village for everybody, but we have now one in our Netherlands housing. We’ve got two PlayStations.
Are they well-liked with different Olympians?
Yeah, they’re. But everybody’s simply taking part in FIFA. It was extra in the beginning, as a result of now the TVs are extra used for watching different sports activities. But it surely’s nonetheless a lot of enjoyable.
What’s your favorite recreation?
I believe I’d say Mario Kart. I do like Pokémon, but it’s extra the playing cards and the creatures. But with Mario Kart, all people can play it. If you’re aggressive? If you’re drunk? If you’re at a occasion? You possibly can at all times play. All people has enjoyable. You possibly can play with youngsters. You possibly can play with older individuals. It’s a good recreation.
Did you get into Pokémon playing cards once more in the course of the growth within the pandemic?
Not not too long ago, but yeah once they went up once more. I had a lot of Pokémon playing cards from once I was youthful, but I by no means discovered them. I believe I threw them away or gave them away. That was a bit unlucky. But yeah, I did get into it. I watched some unboxings on TikTok. I ordered some stuff, similar to within the previous days.
Is there the rest you need people to find out about you?
No, I believe I’ve already stated it. It’s extra that gaming is not only for avid gamers. Some individuals simply see it as gaming, but it’s additionally about connecting with different individuals.
