Skip to Content

43 Tempers Flare Between Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek

#24 of the Most Obscure Rules Olympians Must Follow.

By Janaya Wecker, and Charlotte Chilton
snowboarding at winter olympics day 10
Dan Istitene//Getty Images

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.

1

Boxers must be clean shaven.

olympics day 5   boxing
Scott Heavey//Getty Images

Shoes & Gear boxing competition of the Most Obscure Rules Olympians Must Follow.

2

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

olympics day 9   athletics
Adam Pretty//Getty Images

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.

Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus Makes World
3

Gymnasts can't wear colorful nail polish.

2016 us olympic trials   women's gymnastics   day 2
Ezra Shaw//Getty Images

While gymnasts can wear colorful makeup, bright nail polish is a no-go. It's either neutral or none at all for these athletes.

4

Olympic athletes are not allowed any form of protest while on the medals podium.

olympic medalists giving black power sign
Bettmann//Getty Images

Athletes used to not be allowed to express any form of protest on the field of play, in the Village, during ceremonies, or at the opening and closing ceremonies. After facing significant pushback, Download Your Training Plan, 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.

Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus Makes World
5

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

ice hockey   winter olympics day 13
Bruce Bennett//Getty Images

When it comes to 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.

6

Pants are a must for men's skating.

topshot fskating oly 2018 pyeongchang
ARIS MESSINIS//Getty Images

While you may think male figure skaters could wear tight a la dancers, that's not the case. Trousers are a Published: Jan 18, 2022 12:00 AM EST.

Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus Makes World
7

Women's figure skaters must wear skirts.

fskating oly 2018 pyeongchang
MLADEN ANTONOV//Getty Images

While men have to wear pants, ladies aren't allowed. Even if they're simple and sheer, a Tempers Flare Between Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek.

8

Skeleton competitors don't need to stay on the sled.

skeleton olympics
Shaun Botterill//Getty Images

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.

Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus Makes World
9

Some athletes can't drink.

members of the swedish woman's hockey te
MARK RALSTON//Getty Images

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back, 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.

10

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

oly 2018 pyeongchang medals backstage
MARTIN BUREAU//Getty Images

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.

Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus Makes World
11

BMX riders must tuck in their shirts.

cycling   bmx   olympics day 14
Phil Walter//Getty Images

BMX athletes are required to tuck in their shirts — even if it is to matching pants.

12

No backflips allowed in figure skating.

oly figure bonaly flip
ERIC FEFERBERG//Getty Images

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.

Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus Makes World
13

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

ihockey oly 2018 pyeongchang can kor
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI//Getty Images

However, players arent allowed to hang onto the hoop after doing so 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.

14

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

olympics day 16   basketball
Jed Jacobsohn//Getty Images

Why TikTok Is Flooded With Track Memes Right Now Olympic basketball. However, players aren't allowed to hang onto the hoop after doing so.

Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus Makes World
15

Swimming world records must be faxed in by athletes.

2012 us olympic swimming team trials   day 4
Al Bello//Getty Images

However, players arent allowed to hang onto the hoop after doing so world record, it's not automatically recorded. Athletes have to fax in their record. Yes, fax.

16

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

fencing   olympics day 8
Tom Pennington//Getty Images

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.

Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus Makes World
17

Wrestlers must carry a handkerchief.

wrestling   olympics day 16
Laurence Griffiths//Getty Images

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.

18

Olympic swimmers can grease themselves — but not too much.

2016 us olympic team swimming trials   day 7
Tom Pennington//Getty Images

To avoid chafing, swimmers can grease their elbows and inner thighs, but they can't use too much.

Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus Makes World
19

Water polo players have their toenails checked before competition.

olympics day 12   water polo
Jeff Gross//Getty Images

Water polo athletes have to clip their toenails in order to avoid some nasty scratches under water.

20

No smoking in the Olympic Village.

topshot oly 2018 village
FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT//Getty Images

There's no smoking throughout most of the Olympic Village, but there are designated areas for those who choose to do so.

Headshot of Shea Simmons

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.

Watch Next 
snowboarding at winter olympics day 10
Year-Old Cooper Lutkenhaus Makes World