The 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games saw some incredible athletes competing with some incredible nails.
American runner, Sha’Carri Richardson, has turned heads with her flamboyant manicures on the track – leaving many in awe and wonder at such embellishments.
Of course, while Richardson may have the most impressive set of nails, she's not the only athlete to have decorated herself before competition.
Team Ireland's Sharlene Mawdsley and Mona McSharry were both spotted wearing some patriotic nail colours during their races.
We turn to leading nail expert and deputy editor of Beauty Answers, Katie Walker, who reveals the best way to keep your manicure smart, safe and spotless during sport.
Is it okay to have a manicure during sport?
If the world-class Olympians are anything to go by – there is no harm in having a glamorous set of nails to accompany your workout. In fact, in many cases, it’s actually better than leaving your nails natural.
Many top athletes paint their nails to protect them from bacteria and fungi. Spending hours in sweaty conditions is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, and painting both fingers and toenails with a protective top coat can help avoid infection of the nail bed.
Of course, this then opens up the opportunity to have fun with the set that people will see, which has led many Olympians to don their countries’ colours in exciting and creative manicures on the athletic world stage.
The difference between a sports and everyday manicure
There are a few key differences between a regular manicure and an Olympians’ (other than the sportsperson that showcases it, of course).
Depending on your sport, shape is a crucial consideration. If your sport includes equipment or kit, it’s best to keep them short to reduce breakage and to opt for a rounded shape to minimise snagging or cause injury.
"If you are someone who struggles with nail breakage or you’re a swimmer with prolonged exposure to swimming pool chemicals, it may be worth investing in BIAB or gel," says Walker, "As opposed to traditional nail polish, this adds a further layer of strength and protection to your nails."
Don’t forget to warm up and cool down
Just like a pre-workout warm up, prepping your nails is integral to maintaining their strength and style. "Making sure to buff your nails before painting them will help to create a smooth surface for the polish to adhere to," says Walker.
"When it comes to applying the polish, you want to apply it in thin layers to prevent peeling and chipping, and cap the free edges to seal the tips."
Outside of the manicure itself, Walker advises you cool down not only your muscles but your nails: "Thoroughly wash your hands after taking part in sport to remove any build up of dead skin cells and be sure to moisturise, ideally with coconut oil, to keep your hands and nails healthy."
A beautiful mindset
Being an athlete is as much about preparing your mental state as your physical. When going for gold, many competitors want to be able to envision themselves standing on the podium recieving their flowers.
It seems that part of that process, for athletes like track and field star Sha'Carri Richardson and gymnast Jordan Chiles at least, is making sure they look picture perfect when going for gold.
Speaking with Elle, Richardson explained that dressing the part of a winner is a big part of her mindset as both an athlete and a woman:
"My grandmother, my aunt, and my mother all influence the beauty I exude to the world on a day-to-day basis, especially in big moments," she says. "They kept their nails well-manicured. Hair was also something that I saw a lot of attentiveness to."
Reflecting on her growing confidence, she continued: "I'm more attentive and more appreciative of all my beauty looks. I'm just growing into a bigger appreciation of all the beauty that I have."
