Nailed it! These manicures are winning the Paris Summer Olympics

Jul 31, 2024

Sha'Carri Richardson, Sha'Carri Richardson's nails, Olympic manicures, Olympic nails, Black beauty, theGrio.com — Sha'Carri Richardson, of the U.S., shows off her nails on July 26, 2024, while traveling along the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics. (Photo by Ashley Landis - Pool/Getty Images)

While there are still plenty of events to go before an overall winner of the Summer Olympics can be named, a slew of manicures in Paris may have already taken home the gold.

In the tradition of the late Flo Jo, Sha’Carri Richardson has picked up the torch of winning while sporting a stylish full set. This year’s games have been no exception. After meeting up with Cardi B ahead of the Summer 2024 Olympics for an Olympic-themed manicure and chit-chat, Richardson arrived in Paris for the opening ceremony with her Team USA spirit emblazoned across her long red, blue, and white bejeweled square-shaped acrylics.

During a live broadcast from Paris, it was revealed that Richardson works with nail techs and artists around the country who typically craft custom sets of press-on nails that can take hours to create.

“Don’t worry, she won’t be breaking them anytime soon. She’s only breaking records, not nails,” sports commentator Maria Taylor said of Richardson’s nails while interviewing the track star during the opening ceremony.

Richardson is far from the only one competing with a winning manicure this year. Athletes from all over the world arrived in Paris with creative, unique nails, as did several celebrities who have been taking in the games wearing stunning sets, including variations on the venue-appropriate French manicure. In the list below, theGrio has gathered our favorites so far.

Sha’Carri Richardson’s bejeweled full set

Red, white, and bejeweled. The only thing that garners as much attention as Sha’Carri’s record-breaking track career has got to be her nail game.

Noah Lyles’ bold message

Another runner poised to break a record is Noah Lyles, who arrived in Paris making his intentions known through his nail art. The word “Icon” was spelled out in blue letters across his silver manicure.

Coco Gauff’s doubles set

Coco Gauff has been sporting more than a tennis racket in Paris. One hand of the tennis pro’s nails has been painted in a series of red patterns, while the other coordinates in blue.

Simone Biles’ 3D French manicure

Simone Biles and the rest of Team USA’s women’s gymnastics team just secured the gold while competing in Paris, making a major comeback for the team after the Tokyo Olympics. Biles led her team to victory wearing her standard messy bun and a modern 3D take on a traditional French manicure.

Jordan Chiles’ Team USA spirit

The bedazzling full set that is “that girl?” Gymnast Jordan Chiles’ Team USA-themed French manicure.

Sydney McLaughlin’s minimalist cool

Richardson and Lyles are in good company when it comes to their nail game on the track; several runners on Team USA have been known for their manicures. While we wait to catch more glimpses from their team as the games continue, we’ve already spied Sydney McLaughlin’s signature modern French manicure in blue.

Rebeca Andrade’s medal-worthy tips

Team Brazil’s women’s gymnastics star Rebeca Andrade, one of Biles’ biggest rivals, flipped her away across the arena with a sophisticated gold French manicure.

Cynthia Erivo‘s emerald elegance

Cynthia Erivo is no stranger to a manicure spotlight list, and she didn’t disappoint for the Olympics. She appeared in Paris wearing her latest take on green glam while promoting alongside her “Wicked” co-star Ariana Grande.