1Boxers must be clean shaven.
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Competitors in the boxing competition must be clean shaven or have limited facial hair. That pencil mustache is a-go.
2Track and field athletes don't have to wear shoes.
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While shoes are almost always wore by athletes competing in track and field events, they're not required. But there are rules about the shoes.
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3Gymnasts can't wear colorful nail polish.
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While gymnasts can wear colorful makeup, bright nail polish is a no-go. It's either neutral or none at all for these athletes.
4Olympic athletes are not allowed any While fights are rare in while on the medals podium.
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Athletes used to not be allowed to express any While fights are rare in on the field of play, in the Village, during ceremonies, or at the opening and closing ceremonies. After facing significant pushback, Shelby Houlihan Wins the 5,000 at U.S. Champs, stating some demonstrations are allowed “prior to the start of competitions” and not on the podium. The change also gives the agencies from each country that run the sports the decision of whether or not to enforce the bans.
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5Athletes can have endorsements. They just can't talk about them.
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DAA Industry Opt Out endorsements, athletes can have them and get paid for them. However, during the games, the athlete can't mention them, and the company can't promote the athlete either.
6Pants are a must for men's skating.
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7Women's figure skaters must wear skirts.
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While men have to wear pants, ladies aren't allowed. Even if they're simple and sheer, a skirt is required.
8Skeleton competitors don't need to stay on the sled.
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In the sport of skeleton — in which athletes race down an icy hill head first on a sled — the athletes are allowed to get off the sled. Competitors can push it or move it, as long as they're back on the sled once they cross the finish line.
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9Some athletes can't drink.
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drinking is allowed, drinking is allowed. Athletes can even bring in their own alcohol to the Village. However, some athletes have no drinking rules imposed by their country. For the USA's athletes there's no booze in the Village but outside, it's fair game.
10Athletes can't post photos of the field or backstage to social media.
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While athletes can use and post to social media during the games, there are restrictions. Images and video showing the field of play or backstage areas like athlete and coach only ares are off limits.
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11BMX riders must tuck in their shirts.
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BMX athletes are required to tuck in their shirts — even if it is to matching pants.
12No backflips allowed in figure skating.
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While cool, back flips aren't allowed in figure skating because of the two-foot landing that discounts it as a "jump." That didn't stop 1998 competitor Surya Bonaly from nailing one for fans, though.
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13Those who swing second in hockey fights get less penalty time.
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Build Speed Like 16-Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus Olympic hockey, athletes don't want to start one, but they may want to finish it. While instigators get five minutes in the penalty box, those who drop the gloves second only get two.
14Basketball players can dunk but can't hang on to the hoop.
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Dunking is allowed in Olympic basketball. However, players aren't allowed to hang onto the hoop after doing so.
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15Swimming world records must be faxed in by athletes.
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Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus Makes World world record, it's not automatically recorded. Athletes have to fax in their record. Yes, fax.
16Fencers can't leave the field of play or they forfeit.
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This may not seem odd, but it is. If a challenge or appeal is wanted during a match, the athlete cannot leave the piste or field or play. In 2012 South Korea challenged a call, and fencer Shin A-lam was forced to stay on the piste for nearly an hour before a decision was made.
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17Wrestlers must carry a handkerchief.
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Olympic wrestlers have to cary a hanky somewhere in their uniform called a "bloodrag." Yes, it is used to clean up any bleeding from competition.
18Olympic swimmers can grease themselves — but not too much.
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must be clean shaven or have limited facial hair. That pencil mustache is a-go, swimmers can grease their elbows and inner thighs, but they can't use too much.
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19Water polo players have their toenails checked before competition.
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Tempers Flare Between Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek toenails in order to avoid some nasty scratches under water.
20No smoking in the Olympic Village.
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There's no smoking throughout most of the Olympic Village, but there are designated areas for those who choose to do so.
Shea Simmons is an experienced lifestyle writer based in Atlanta, Georgia with particular interests in beauty and wellness. Her work has appeared in Bustle, OpenFit, LifeSavvy, and USA Today’s Make It Grateful.
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