Reason why Olympic gymnasts are banned from wearing nail polish could surprise fans

Olympic gymnasts are banned from wearing certain colours of nail polish while they are competing in events.

A total of 18 gymnastics events were contested at Paris 2024, split evenly across men and women.

The events are divided into three disciplines - artistic, rhythmic and trampoline gymnastics.

Gymnastics as a sport has been contested at every Olympics that has ever taken place, starting in Athens in 1896.

There are a number of regulations for each event, largely relating to the scoring process and potential violations that can be committed by each athlete.

Prior to most events, each gymnast - including stars such as Simone Biles, Rebeca Andrade and Zhang Boheng, will apply chalk to both hands to reduce friction, enable a better grip and also reduce sweat in order to give them the best possible chance of a high score.

Competitors are also allowed to apply neutral colours of nail polish - but specific colours are banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

There are several reasons behind the ban, with one of those being that it could potentially serve as a distraction to judges while they are assessing each gymnast's routine.

In addition, it also allows the judges to assess how healthy the gymnast's nails are, as different natural colours can indicate a potential deficiency or disease.

Athletes can still apply different colours to the nail bed as long as they do not cover it entirely - with Simone Biles applying polish only to the outer lining of each nail before competing at Paris 2024, in the colours of the Olympic rings.

Team USA's Simone Biles pictured in action at Paris 2024 (Image: Getty)

They can also still apply polish to the actual nail itself, and there are no specific rules about nail lengths either.

The ban means athletes have to get creative when it comes to applying certain nails and polishes.

Prior to Paris 2024, Team USA gymnast Sunisa Lee said in an interview: "As a gymnast, I'm always looking for nails that are flexible, weightless, strong and durable."