Olympics, Olympic Swimming: Nails

1 of 11

U.S.A.

Patrick B. Kraemer/EPA/Corbis

Several of the speed demons on the U.S. women’s Olympic swimming team sported fierce talons. Dana Vollmer tweeted about her “lucky white polish with a little added dalmatian flair” before nabbing a gold and world record for the 100m butterfly, while “star” Missy Franklin’s American flag-themed mani sliced through the water for a bronze in the 4×100 freestyle relay.

2 of 11

GREAT BRITAIN

Patrick B. Kraemer/EPA/Corbis; Toby Melville/Reuters/Landov

The Brits aren’t about to let other countries sweep the nail art competition on their soil. Rebecca Adlington, a bronze medalist in the 4×100 freestyle relay, flashes her new hardware – and teeny Union Jacks on her nails, while Aimee Willmott accents her scarlet tips with mini Olympic rings.

3 of 11

SPAIN

Daniel Ochoa De Olza/AP

That “olé, olé, olé” you hear in the stands isn’t just for Spanish swimmer Miriea Belmonte Garcéa’s speedy splits. Her striped talons, done up in the colors of the Spanish flag, deserve their own cheer (even if they do look a bit scary). We’re amazed she didn’t break one while coming in for a finish at the wall!

Continued on next slide.

4 of 11

HUNGARY

Hannibal Hanschke/EPA/Corbis

That’s one way to make waves! Zsuzsanna Jakabos decorated her super-long nails in shades of blue that reminded us of (what else?) a pool.

5 of 11

COLOMBIA

Daniel Ochoa De Olza/AP

Gotta love a good guest! South American swimmer Carolina Colorado Henao pays tribute to her home country with sassy, striped-and-dotted designs on four out of her five fingers, then nods to the host country with a delicate Union Jack on her thumb.

6 of 11

ITALY

Reuters/Landov

The baton for most serious summer Olympics nails has been passed from Florence Griffith-Joyner to Italian swimmer Stefania Pirozzi, who accented her U.K.-themed tank during pre-Games training with red, white and neon green talons. Warning: swimming into her lane could prove extremely dangerous!

Continued on next slide.

7 of 11

AUSTRALIA

Dennis M. Sabangan/EPA/Corbis

Another swimming superstar whose nail art (okay, and plenty of training) paved the way for glory: Olympic record-setter (in the 100-meter backstroke) Emily Seebohm’s citrusy lemon-and-limed striped fingernails perfectly matched her flashy swim cap.

8 of 11

FRANCE

Daniel Ochoa De Olza/AP. Inset: Michael Sohn/AP

Now this is what we call a French manicure. (Ba-dum-ching!) All bad puns aside, Coralie Balmy’s chic, subtle flag-tipped nails are among the most enviable we’ve seen in the pool.

9 of 11

DENMARK

Matt Slocum/AP. Inset: Jorge Silva/Reuters/Landov

While the amazing tips flaunted by many of her competitors made it seem like they had nail artists traveling on the team bus, Danish swimmer Rikke Pedersen’s flag mani is a little more DIY. Perhaps she was too busy training to spruce them up – but we adore her heartfelt tribute to her home country.

Continued on next slide.

10 of 11

GERMANY

Patrick B. Kraemer/EPA/Corbis

We must say we’re surprised by all the supersized nails seen in the pool, but maybe they help shave seconds off their splits? Jenny Helsing flashes her digits, done up with the colors in the German flag as well as her own tribute to the U.K.’s, while adjusting her goggles in the water.

Replay gallery

Olympic Swimmers Nail It!

1 of 11

U.S.A.

2 of 11

GREAT BRITAIN

3 of 11

SPAIN

4 of 11

HUNGARY

5 of 11

COLOMBIA

6 of 11

ITALY

7 of 11

AUSTRALIA

8 of 11

FRANCE

9 of 11

DENMARK

10 of 11

GERMANY

Up Next

Everything in This Slideshow

Account

More

Olympic Swimmers Nail It!

1 of 11

U.S.A.

2 of 11

GREAT BRITAIN

3 of 11

SPAIN

4 of 11

HUNGARY

5 of 11

COLOMBIA

6 of 11

ITALY

7 of 11

AUSTRALIA

8 of 11

FRANCE

9 of 11

DENMARK

10 of 11

GERMANY

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Manage Push Notifications