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40 Weird Rules That Olympic Athletes Must Follow

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August 1, 2021 at 10:45 AM

40 Weird Rules That Olympic Athletes Must Follow

Boxers must be clean shaven.

Track and field athletes don't have to wear shoes.

Gymnasts can't wear colorful nail polish.

Olympic athletes are not allowed any form of protest while competing.

Athletes can have endorsements. They just can't talk about them.

Pants are a must for men's skating.

Women's figure skating competitors must wear skirts.

Some athletes can't drink.

Athletes can't post photos of the field or backstage to social media.

BMX riders must tuck in their shirts.

No backflips allowed in figure skating.

Those who swing second in hockey fights get less penalty time.

Basketball players can dunk but can't hang on to the hoop.

Swimming world records must be faxed in by athletes.

Fencers can't leave the field of play or they forfeit.

Wrestlers must carry a handkerchief.

Olympic swimmers can grease themselves — but not too much.

Water polo players have their toenails checked before competition.

No smoking in the Olympic Village.

Only one piece of handheld food can be taken from the Olympic Village food court.

Beach volleyball bikinis must be a certain size.

No scoop or v-neck leotards for gymnasts.

No groin grabbing allowed.

Lost props stay lost in rhythmic gymnastics.

A coin toss determines the color of beach volleyball uniforms.

Olympic gymnasts have to pay for a scoring challenge.

Cyclists' socks can only go to mid-calf.

No hand-holding finishes.

No excess nudity for figure skaters.

Golfers must sign their score cards.

Divers must be bold and confident on the board.

You must make all the gates in the canoe slalom.

Equestrians can't use their voices during competition.

Archers only have 40 seconds to shoot.

Race walkers can never have two feet off of the ground.

All tennis matches are played on hard courts.

Water polo players can't grease up beforehand.

Shoes aren't required in beach volleyball.

Shooters can't remove their rifles from the firing lane.

Open water swimmers aren't allowed to wear wet suits.

40 Weird Rules That Olympic Athletes Must Follow

Every two years, the world's greatest athletes gather for a chance at glory. The summer and winter Olympic games feature some of the most unifying, heartwarming moments in sport. But it's not all fun and games (no pun intended). When it comes to conduct on and off the field, there are Olympic rules athletes have to follow, and some are next level obscure.

Cameron Spencer - Getty Images

For starters: Gymnasts can't wear nail polish.

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