So far, it’s been a big year for beauty at the , with brand sponsorships amplifying product placement alongside some inspiring maximalist aesthetics seen on many an athlete. Underscoring the evolving relationship between sports and beauty culture is nail art, a visual display of creativity and individuality as much as a celebration of cultural significance. From the fastest man in the world, Noah Lyles, to the 800-metre champion Keely Hodgkins, nail art is allowing athletes to showcase their personalities and differentiate themselves in an arena where uniforms are mostly standardised.
Beyond that, nails can be used to convey meaningful messages, or represent a person’s heritage and pride. Plus, there’s the psychological component to investing in one’s nails: the manicure process itself can be meditative, while the end results can serve as a source of motivation. For many athletes, looking good can mean feeling good, and the confidence-boost of beautiful nails can contribute positively to performance ( to diving bronze medallists Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen explaining that their nail art acts as a lucky “secret weapon”).
Clearly transcending aesthetics, while we watch these athletes compete we’re increasingly inspired by the stories they tell with their nails. Here are some of our favourites: Known for her dramatic nails, American track and field athlete Sha'carri Richardson always has a manicure as spectacular as her performance. British gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson's regal purple nails were the result of a collaboration with Nike, nail artist Sylvie Macmillan told , explaining that "they feature motifs based around the Greek goddess of victory".
Team GB’s divers Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen always sport matching nails for competitions, telling the that it’s their “thing”, and adding that they count their nail art as a good luck charm. Colombian swimmer Stefania Gomez Hurtado incorporated multiple Paris Olympic Games symbols in her mani, including the 2024 mascot, Phryge, which reflects the history and revolutionary spirit of France. American sprinting superstar Noah Lyles – now officially the fastest man in the world – is another Olympian known for his love of nail art.
Whether patriotic or symbolic of his ambition, his nails continue to deconstruct antiquated gender norms with each competition. Showcasing his 'ICON' design at a press conference in Paris, Lyles spoke out about the perception of his nail art as conceited. “The most misunderstood thing is the balance between cocky and confident,” he said.
“There is a strong line that people assume my confidence is cockiness.” French fencer Sara Balzer showcased the perfect Parisian nail art, complete with flag stripes and Olympic rings. In a similar vein – while reflecting her Italian nationality – fencer Alberta Santuccio showcased Olympic rings and her country's flag.
Swiss beach volleyball player Zoé Vergé-Dépré opted for a more subtle – while still literal – representation of the competition. For an American take on the 'French manicure', track and field athlete Alexis Holmes played up patriotic nails with fun accents, from floral motifs to stripes, stars and dots..
