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.
Related: Cardi B and Sha’Carri Richardson get their nails done together ahead of the Paris Olympics
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.
Related: Telfar wasn’t the only Black designer to outfit a 2024 Olympic team
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.
Related: Coco Gauff says her Grand Slam outfits are planned years in advance
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.
Related: Jordan Chiles reflects on how she became ‘that girl’
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.
Related: Jonathan Owens negotiated his new NFL contract to cheer on Simone Biles at the Paris Olympics
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.
Related: Black celebs add star power to the 2024 Paris Olympics