Nail art has long been a form of self-expression, but for athletes at the 2024 Olympics, manicures are the trendiest way to represent their home countries. Some added patriotic flairs to their paint, incorporating the color schemes and symbols of their national flags, while others opted for classic styles like French tips.
From gymnasts like Simone Biles to sprinters like Sha’Carri Richardson, see how athletes are sporting nail art at the Paris Games.
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Simone Biles
Biles, who scored four medals — including three gold — at this year’s Games, opted for sleek almond-shaped French tips with tiny gems placed just above the cuticles.
Jordan Chiles
Jordan Chiles won her first Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Games. The gymnast’s long square-tip manicure featured blue scales painted on one hand and red on the other, both of which were lined with gold paint.
Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff kept the patriotic theme going with her red and blue nail art, incorporating star decals evocative of the American flag.
Suni Lee
Suni Lee teamed up with the at-home nail brand Kiss for the 2024 Olympics, wearing a set of press-on French tips from their LED gel line, Salon X-Tend.
“I am obsessed with nails, which is why I am so excited to partner with Kiss,” Lee said in a statement. “Being a gymnast requires me to move in a way that is flexible, weightless, and strong. I need the same traits when it comes to my manicure, and Salon X-tend allows me to do that effortlessly, while also showcasing my individuality, wherever my meets take me.”
At the 2024 Olympics, Lee received a gold medal as part of the women’s artistic team all-around competition.
Noah Lyles
Noah Lyles took home Olympic gold for the first time on Sunday, placing first in the men’s 100-meter sprint. He initially appeared at the Games with the word “Icon” splashed across his nails, later brandishing a new set featuring stars, cross and lightning bolt motifs. Both looks incorporated the red, white and blue color scheme of the American flag.
Although Lyles faced some backlash online for sporting nail art, the runner took it in stride. “You know, people like me because I do this,” he told Us Weekly. “I’m just being myself.”
Sha’Carri Richardson
Lyles wasn’t the only Olympian to don different sets of nails at the Paris Games. Richardson, known as the fastest woman in the world, wore a patriotic square-tipped manicure for the opening ceremony that included metallic decals, red and blue gems and American flags painted on each middle finger.
Paris Olympics 2024 Was Year of Artistic & Colorful Nails, Photos: Sha’Carri Richardson, Simone Biles & More [PHOTOS]
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Richardson’s second set, which she wore while competing on Friday, featured a black base coat and neon designs. The sprinter won her first Olympic medal for the women’s 100 meter race, taking home silver.
Launch Gallery: Paris Olympics 2024 Was Year of Artistic & Colorful Nails, Photos: Sha’Carri Richardson, Simone Biles & More [PHOTOS]
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