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Why can't you wear nail polish in gymnastics?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 12, 2026

Team USA gymnasts Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee have both proven they love a good nail-art design, but the way they wear them has to be within reason. Flashy nails that could distract the judges from the routine being performed are not allowed.

Can gymnasts wear nail polish?

The International Gymnastics Federation allows gymnasts to perform in socks, and some opt for it to help them with their turns and prevent sweating. They can also wear nail polish, but mostly neutral colours to avoid creating distraction for judges.

Why do female gymnasts not have breasts?

And some are going to drastic lengths to remove them - or even to stop them developing in the first place. According to ESPN magazine, gymnasts push themselves to the 'brink of starvation' to avoid developing breasts and a host of professional athletes have spent a lot of money to surgically reduce them.

Are you allowed to have long nails in gymnastics?

All male gymnasts are required to have their hair such that their forehead and back of their neck is fully visible at all times. Fingernails should be kept short so as not to scratch or harm the coach or other participants during training.

Do gymnasts wax?

Do gymnasts get waxed? Women gymnasts have come to resemble swimmers in their uniform lack of body hair— waxing being an unspoken mandate that has as much to do with aesthetics as with aerodynamics. (Well groomed in her appearance.)

41 related questions found

Do gymnasts wear bras?

- Gymnastics Bras: Most athletes wear a gymnastics sports bra to ensure the breasts are held firmly in place and don't interfere with running, jumping or tumbling. - Gymnastics Underwear: Gymnasts should wear underwear designed to fit discretely under a leotard.

Do gymnasts have periods?

Many elite women gymnasts, and some other endurance athletes like distance runners, are amenorrheal, or experiencing a significant delay in the onset of menstruation and puberty. It is routine for top-flight gymnasts to begin menstruating years later than other girls.

Does Suni Lee have fake nails?

Suni Lee says her square-tip nails aren't just for looks - they help her grip the uneven bars. Sunisa Lee won the all-around gymnastics gold at the Tokyo Olympics wearing acrylic nails. Lee told NBC that the square-shaped nails help her hold the uneven bars.

Does Suni Lee have eyelash extensions?

Team USA gymnastics fans are applauding Sunisa Lee after the 18-year-old Minnesota native won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics while wearing acrylic nails and eyelash extensions.

Can Olympians wear nail polish?

Gymnasts can't wear colorful nail polish. While gymnasts can wear colorful makeup, bright nail polish is a no-go. It's either neutral or none at all for these athletes. Olympic athletes are not allowed any form of protest while competing.

Why are gymnasts flat?

The lack of estrogen affects bone development and leads to future problems like osteoporosis. They might maintain a thin, girlish figure and avoid developing hips and breasts that get in the way of their performance, but they're starving themselves.

Do gymnasts have to be skinny?

A lean athlete, not just a skinny athlete, will perform better. There is no correlation between body weight and the skills necessary for an elite gymnast—running speed, jumping height and hand strength. The average female gymnast gets her first period at age 15 ½ compared to the average girl at age 13.

Does gymnastics stunt your height?

A study published in 2004 showed that intense gymnastics training can impact the musculoskeletal growth and maturation that is supposed to occur during puberty, but, research conducted by Malina et al, investigating the 'Role of Intensive Training in the Growth and Maturation of Artistic Gymnasts', found that ...

Can you have acrylic nails in gymnastics?

Sunisa Lee won the all-around gymnastics gold at the Tokyo Olympics wearing acrylic nails. Lee told NBC that the square-shaped nails help her hold the uneven bars. Lee said she sees her acrylic nails as "good luck," and she'll keep wearing them after the Olympics.

Are gymnasts allowed to have colored hair?

Are Olympians allowed to dye their hair? Well, signs definitely point to yes. It's not as common as, say, the ubiquitous sparkly stud earrings for the gymnasts, or the even-more ubiquitous Olympic five-ring tattoos for swimmers, but brightly dyed hair is still something that happens during the Games.

Do gymnasts do their own hair?

Most, if not all, Olympians participating in the Japan-hosted games are doing their own hair and makeup. "Yes, we do. So if we're looking busted mind your business LOL," Biles, 24, joked on her Instagram Story during a fan Q&A session.

Are Suni Lee's eye lashes real?

And some eagle-eyed observers were also stunned by her very much secondary achievement on the day - the ability to do so while wearing acrylic nails and fake eyelashes. One fan wrote on Twitter: "Suni Lee did the thing and she did it with acrylic nails with the Olympic rings on them."

Do Olympic gymnasts wear false eyelashes?

Amidst all the sporting prowess on display at this year's Olympic Games in Tokyo was a detail that was hard to miss. With their eyes on the prize, the female USA gymnastics team wore false eyelashes, proving that it's possible to work hard and look good while doing it.

What is free bleeding in gymnastics?

Free bleeding is the practice of intentionally menstruating in public, without blocking or collecting the period flow.

How do gymnasts deal with body hair?

While some Olympic competitions have rules regarding body hair, other athletes simply want to enhance their performance by reducing their body hair. Laser hair removal is a popular hair removal method, as it can eliminate unwanted hair safely, effectively and permanently.

What do gymnasts wear on their period?

Tampons are a common choice for many dancers and gymnasts for a lot of the same reasons as the menstrual cup – they're invisible under your leotard.

How do gymnasts not get wedgies?

Gymnast Nastia Liukin, the all-around gold medalist at the 2008 Olympics, told People.com that some gymnasts use an adhesive spray such as Tuf-Skin to hold the leotard in place, since picking a wedgie during a performance is grounds for a deduction. Custom fittings help ensure that the leotard is just the right size.

Do gymnasts glue their leotards?

Gymnasts (and dancers alike) often apply "butt glue" along the outline of their leotards, according to Livestrong, to make it stay in place. "Butt glue" is actually body adhesive that was first used in pageants to keep swimsuits from riding up.