The nail art helping Olympians claw their way to gold (2024)

If you have difficulty identifying your favourite athletes in Paris, just look at their hands.

Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus’s prophetic golden fingernails, US gymnast Jordan Chiles’ striped tips and US sprinter Noah Lyles’ lightning bolts have become buffed signposts of success while wrapped around medals.

At the 1988 Seoul Olympics American athlete Florence Griffith-Joyner’s curved talons were an anomaly but 36 years later flashy manicures, such as the intricate nail art of US sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, are more widespread than bacteria in the Seine.

“We’ve seen it in the past with tattoos,” says Dr Michelle O’Shea, from the Western Sydney University School of Business. “As a sportsperson there is an expectation around the body of performance. Nail art is another way of articulating yourself that goes beyond uniforms and sneakers.”

“It can be personal,” says Carlie Green-Medina, founder of the sport management company Agency X. “There is a branding element with things such as nail polish that helps athletes stand out, but this is really about what makes them perform better.”

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“Getting nail art can be a ritual for athletes. They can be pretty superstitious. Shayna Jack always swims with white nails and pearl earrings.”

Jack’s white manicure in Paris was enhanced with the Australian team colours. Discus thrower Taryn Gollshewsky fully committed to green and gold nails, while French fencer Sara Balzer, Italian fencer Arianna Errigo and Spanish volleyball player Paula Soria Gutierrez drew inspiration from their national flags.

“Athletes are just reflecting what’s happening in the wider community,” says nail artist and educator Jade Pham. “In the past few months the number of people choosing to express their personalities with nail art has grown.”

“It’s not just athletes and performers. We mostly see 17- to 25-year-old women working in professional environments who want to express their individuality, sometimes with different artwork on each nail.”

A nail salon in the Olympic Village in Paris can assist with simple manicures but many of the athletes apply their own art.

“Intricate nail art can take three hours,” Pham says. “For many people this time is about prioritising self-care.”

Male athletes embracing manicures

By helping themselves, athletes such as Lyles and French volleyballer Remi Bassereau are helping others. Using nail polish as a form of self-expression challenges traditional notions of masculinity in sport.

Former NBA champion Dwyane Wade posted support for Lyles on Twitter, saying “And he got his nails painted, say something” after the sprinter won gold.

“Nail polish does not have a gender,” says Lucas Lane, 15, founder of Australian nail polish pen brand Glossy Boys. “It doesn’t express your sexuality. It’s fun.”

Three years ago, Perth-based Lane launched his make-up brand after experimenting with nail polish as a part of skate culture and as a way to express individuality in his school uniform. Glossy Boys is expected to reach $250,000 in revenue this year from sales in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US.

“Like the athletes I found a way to be myself that was outside the rules,” Lane says. “No one is getting hurt by what you’re doing so it’s crazy that there would be any backlash.”

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“What Noah Lyles is doing shows support for his team but most importantly for himself. Noah is an icon right, he even told you by painting it on his nails”

While playing for Carlton, AFL footballer Jordan Boyd has taken the same approach as Lyles by ignoring stereotypically sexist responses on social media and painting his nails.

“I started a few years ago when my girlfriend painted a few nails, but it wasn’t until this year that there were some negative comments,” Boyd says.

“Fortunately, the team has always been supportive. Our former development coach Dan O’Keefe was big on us being ourselves and so is our coach Michael Voss. I’ve always done things a bit differently.”

Following social media criticism Boyd has leant into nail art, painting all his nails on the field.

“I have had plenty of messages of support for showing that you can be different, or just be yourself, in a very masculine environment.”

In June, Chemist Warehouse partnered with Boyd on a social media post featuring the footballer engaging in a pre-game polish with Essie products. Sports agent Green-Medina expects more nail-related sponsorships after the Olympics.

“It would come down to the individual athlete,” Green-Medina says. “It has to be authentic, which is what we are seeing at the Games.”

“Some athletes are very protective of their ritual and might not want to have it commercialised. As a manager, we want to drive their opportunities, but ultimately, their performance comes first. Some are happy just doing it to win.”

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