Chinese man sticks 2008 needles in his head to mark Beijing Olympic Games

Maxppp/Barcroft Media Dr Sheng shows off the decorative needles worn to mark the Olympics

In a bizarre publicity stunt, Dr Wei Sheng pierced the decorative needles in his head, face, hands and chest in the five colours of the Olympic rings.

The picture of Dr Sheng’s was taken in Nanning, Southern China, and demonstrates the patriotic fervour among the Chinese people in the build up to September’s Games.

Another Chinese man had the symbol of the Beijing Olympics tattooed on his forehead, the Games’ mascots on his chest and neck and various other images, including dragons and the Great Wall of China, tattooed all over his body.

Dr Sheng's latest stunt was not the first time he had gained notoriety for sticking pins in his body.

In 2004 he secured a Guinness World Record after piercing 1790 needles into his head.

Mr Sheng had planned his latest needle stunt in advance, booking a room for the Olympics in Beijing last year.

In China, people with tattoos and piercings are widely frowned upon and viewed as social outcasts.