When the world’s greatest athletes gather for a chance at glory every two years, all Olympians must play by the rules—even if some of them seem a little strange. Some of the regulations range from what kind of clothing or aesthetic an athlete must have to general behavior restrictions.
The summer and winter Olympic Games feature some of the most unifying, heartwarming moments in sports. But it’s not all fun and games (no pun intended). Even when athletes might find a rule unfair, once a rule is broken—depending on the infraction—the consequences can cost them hard-to-earn points or even their chance of continuing their bid for Olympic glory.
Brazilian swimmer Ana Carolina Vieira, 22, was sent home from the 2024 Paris Games after being caught leaving the Olympic Village without authorization with another teammate, Gabriel Santos, following the Opening Ceremony on July 26.
After being reprimanded, Vieira reacted to the “technical decision” made by the committee in a “disrespectful and aggressive” manner, according to the COB. Consequently, she was sent home.
To get a better understanding of the Games, here’s a look into the rulebook for some of the lesser-known and unusual rules for the Olympic Games.
Divers Must Be Confident
According to World Aquatics’ competition regulations, a failure to reach full extension—a.k.a. a ‘bold, high, and confident take-off’ before their dive—can cause a deduction of between ½ and 2 points.
Figure Skating
There is no set uniform for figure skaters, but there are strict rules. Trousers are a dress code requirement for men, whereas women are allowed to wear a variety of costumes, including trousers, leggings, skirts, dresses, and unitards. According to the International Skating Union (ISU), ‘clothing cannot give the effect of excessive nudity.’ This is why you might see so many flesh-toned panels—to give the illusion of skin.
Not only does it matter what they wear, but figure skaters are also not allowed to do backflips. Doing a backflip in a figure skating routine is considered an “illegal figure skating move” by the International Skating Union. The reason is that the landing is made on two feet instead of one and is not considered a “real jump.”
Water Polo
BMX
BMX racers have to wear loose, fitted long-sleeved jerseys that come down to the waist and must be tucked in. Lycra is also not allowed, and long trousers must be worn in case of a crash. For BMX freestyle, the rules—and clothing—are looser. While tucking in is not mandatory, the primary focus of attire regulations is on safety and functionality, and jerseys are typically form-fitting.
Gymnastics
As one of the most anticipated sports to watch in the Olympics, gymnastics draws the eyes of viewers all over the globe due to the intense, gravity-defying maneuvers performed by its athletes. While it’s exciting to watch, what goes on behind the scenes for the gymnasts demands a lot of focus.
While gymnasts can wear makeup, FIG has rules around how much is worn and what kind is applied. “Face painting is not allowed,” the handbook states, also noting that “any makeup must be modest and not portray a theatrical character (animal or human).” Bright nail polish is also a no-go—only neutral colors or none at all for these athletes.
Gymnasts’ uniforms are strictly regulated, and scoop or v-necks that extend beyond the mid-sternum aren’t allowed.
As for obscure rules during an event, Olympic gymnasts have to pay for a scoring challenge. If a team believes a score is unfair, gymnasts’ coaches have four minutes and must pay $300 to have it re-evaluated. If the challenge overturns the scoring, the team gets their money back. If not, the cash goes to charity.
But for all the “no’s,” there are things gymnasts are allowed. Women competing on the uneven bars tend to use spray water or chalk for stickiness, but honey is apparently another allowed alternative.
No Hand-Holding Finishes
Olympic runners who choose to hold hands at the finish line are disqualified due to a rule that says you can’t have a contrived tie.
Golfers Must Sign Their Scorecards
Basketball
Dunking is allowed in Olympic basketball. However, players aren’t permitted to intentionally hang on the hoop afterward, as it would result in a foul.
Equestrians Can’t Use Their Voices
During the competition, these Olympians can’t even click their tongues to control their horses. This rule was enforced at the 1932 Olympics when a Swedish equestrian was demoted to last place for making a clicking sound—even though he claimed it was just his saddle.
Wrestlers Must Wear a Cloth Handkerchief in Their Jersey
Olympic wrestlers have to wear a cloth handkerchief somewhere in their uniform, called a ‘bleeder’ or ‘bloodrag,’ which is used to clean up any bleeding from competition or to mop the mat of any bodily fluids.
Props in Rhythmic Gymnastics
While performing in rhythmic gymnastics, athletes use equipment like hoops, balls, clubs, and ribbons. The rules state that if one of these items gets stuck in the ceiling or breaks, the gymnast must keep going with the routine because there’s no starting over. It’s a real challenge since these items are often an important part of the routine, forcing athletes to mime their performance.
Tennis
The standard surface for an Olympic event in tennis is a hard court, and all players must be prepared to play on it. This is unlike other professional tournaments, like Wimbledon or the French Open, which are played on grass and clay.
And if your hat falls off in the middle of a tennis match, your opponent can call for a “let”—that’s a fancy way of saying a “do-over”—because it’s a distraction. A let will also be called if a tennis ball falls out of your pocket during play.