On social media, a user named @adamclayton_ shared a video on TikTok showing Olympic swimmer Tang Qianting creating a bizarre on-camera optical illusion.
Previously, Chinese swimmer Tang Qianting left Olympics fans shocked with what appeared to be an impossibly snatched waist.
Her appearance created a buzz when she entered the pool arena on Monday, drawing attention away from her performance.
Tang Qianting’s ‘impossible’ waistline explained
On social media, a user named @adamclayton_ shared a video on TikTok showing Olympic swimmer Tang Qianting creating a bizarre on-camera optical illusion.
In a TikTok video posted by fans, Qianting stepped up to the pool’s edge, and the edges of her swimsuit merged perfectly with the blue backdrop.
The video showed the optical illusion occurred due to the unique design of Qianting’s Speedo swimsuit.
@adamclayton_ You better cinch that waist #olympics #parisolympics2024 #gay #lgbt #dragrace
The sides of her two-toned blue-and-teal suit blended almost seamlessly with the background wall. This created the illusion of a waist that appeared just a few inches wide.
Swimmer’s performance overshadowed by Waistline illusion
Tang Qianting, the reigning 100-meter breaststroke world champion, secured a silver medal with a time of 1:05.54. However, her waistline was the main topic of conversation, drawing more attention than her athletic achievement.
The viral TikTok video that captured the optical Iillusion.
The video quickly went viral and sparked debate among viewers, with many viewers commenting on her exaggerated curves.
Social media users joked about the optical illusion, calling it the ‘Ozempic games,’ referencing the weight loss medication. Others made lighthearted comparisons, with one viewer commenting, “Okay Kim Kardashian Met Gala 2024!!!”
One person said: The sides had same color as the water
A second wrote: Olympic or OZEMPIC
While a third commented: me after I drink Pepsi max instead of regular pepsi
Another added: nah I was so confused for so long.
Someone else said: laughed out loud realised this was u and laughed even more
i am so glad i’m not the only one who had to double take whilst watching. Another user wrote
The color-blocking technique behind the illusion
Qianting’s swimsuit featured a color-blocking design, which used contrasting colors strategically around the waistline.
This technique, inspired by Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, uses geometric shapes to change the silhouette, drawing the viewer’s focus to specific areas of the body.
The brain tends to take shortcuts when processing visual information. Research from the University of Glasgow in 2011 revealed that when something is unclear, the brain predicts what will be seen and fills in the gaps.
The science behind the illusion
Fraser Smith, a researcher from the University of Glasgow, explained that our brains create a mental jigsaw puzzle using available information, including context, memories, and sensory input. This mental shortcut can sometimes result in visual illusions, like the one seen with Qianting’s swimsuit.