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If you’ve been as locked into the 2024 Olympics as I have—as in, you keep finding your face literal inches from the TV screen—you might have noticed some stiff competition in my favorite unofficial event: nail game.
The fresh sets and glossy finishes on display in Paris would be impressive in any context, but slicing through the air mid-competition? Iconic. Sure, we expect the athletes to look polished for the Opening Ceremonies, but a dash of glam in the court, gym, pool, or track just hits different. We’re seeing superhuman grip with custom coffin acrylics (???), neon tips that are no match for chlorine, and patriotic nail art that makes us want to stand up and salute.
The path to the Olympics can be punishing, so we always love to see an athlete having fun and flashing a little personal style on the world stage. It’s amazing how much character and personality a great manicure can convey. While I have a lot of questions about how, exactly, you can grip a bar or a tennis racket with talons, I’m still very much enjoying the mani-fication of Olympic Village. (It probably helps that all the athletes have access to glam on-site in Paris.)
Check out our favorite nails from the 2024 Olympics in action below, and keep checking back here for more as the Games progress.
1. Jordan Chiles, United States, Artistic Gymnastics
Chiles gave a stunning uneven bars performance with this set. Meanwhile, I’ve been known to break a nail while grocery shopping.
2. Alex Sedrick, United States, Rugby Sevens
3. Sara Balzer, France, Fencing—Women’s Sabre Individual Round of 16
4. Laura van der Winkel, Netherlands, Archery—Women’s Individual Qualifying Round
My indecisive heart is singing for this nail art, which has a little bit of everything.
5. Danielle Collins, United States, Tennis—Women’s Singles
6. Ariarne Titmus, Australia, Swimming—Women’s 200m Freestyle Final
7. Sunisa Lee, United States, Artistic Gymnastics
Suni’s an all-American legend, but that crisp French mani (from a $23 Kiss press-on kit, apparently!) on the Paris 2024 logo…oui.
8. Coco Gauff, United States, Tennis, Women’s Singles
9. Bernadette Szocs, Romania, Table Tennis—Mixed Doubles Quarterfinals
If I was her competition, safe to say I’d be distracted.
10. Andrea Murez, Israel, Swimming
11. Veronika Marchenko, Ukraine, Archery—Women’s Individual Ranking Round
When you see accent nails back on my mood board, you’ll know why.
12. Maria Gutierrez, Spain, Handball—Women’s Group B Match
13. Manika Batra, India, Table Tennis—Singles Round of 32
14. Zoe Verge-Depre, Switzerland, Beach Volleyball
15. Sha'carri Richardson, United States, Track and Field—Women's 100m
16. Ewa Swoboda, Poland, Track and Field—Women's 100m
17. Keely Hodgkinson, Great Britain, Track and Field—Women's 800m Semi-Finals
18. Noah Lyles, United States, Track and Field—Men's 100m
BRB, booking a nail appointment ASAP.
SELF is your one-click source for all things Summer Olympics. Read our latest coverage of the Paris Games here.
Related:
- Here’s How You Get 10,000 Swarovski Crystals on a Teeny-Tiny Leotard
- So…How Do Olympic Gymnasts Avoid Wedgies When They’re Competing?
- The Sweet Reason Track Star Sha’Carri Richardson Does Her Nails—Plus Her Best Styles to Date
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