After years of rigorous training and strict diets it turns out that the beauty and wellness routines of Olympic athletes are also crucial in helping them get into the zone.
Team GB's first medal winners of the 2024 Paris Olympics, synchronised divers Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen, highlighted the importance of their sparkly nails in their post-victory interview, declaring: 'Our nails are our superpower!'
This year's Games have underscored the evolving relationship between sports and beauty culture, with brand sponsorships amplifying product placement, alongside inspiring bold aesthetics seen on many athletes.
Team GB Olympics stars recently sat down with Grazia magazine to detail their pre-performance routines, discussing everything from acrylic nails, to make-up looks inspired by Pinterest, to specialist sprays aimed at combating excessive sweat.
FEMAIL takes a look at the beauty routines of our world-class British athletes - including gold medal winner Keely Hodgkinson...
After years of rigorous training and strict diets, it turns out that the beauty and wellness routines of Olympic athletes are also crucial in helping them get race-ready (pictured: Imani-LaraLansiquot)
1. Imani-Lara Lansiquot: Sprinter
For 26-year-old Imani-Lara, a Pinterest board goes a long way, and the sprinter reveals she regularly saves eyeliner and hair looks that tie in with the new season colours.
She adds: 'It's a really fun way to add a different kind of excitement to preparation for the race, and it keeps my internal pressure low while externally I'm dialled into the season.'
Imani-Lara incorporates a contrast shower routine - comprised of one-minute intervals of hot and cold settings on race day to awaken her body.
Meanwhile, she enjoys applying a full face of makeup, starting with a setting spray like the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, worth £32.
Imani-Lara's skincare includes an exfoliating net and cocoa butter, and she maintains a pre-race superstition of having a full set of nails done, complete with a nude base and colourful designs.
Imani-Lara Lansiquot's skincare includes an exfoliating net and cocoa butter, and she maintains a pre-race superstition of having a full set of nails done (stock image)
2. Lina Nielsen:400m Hurdler
Lina, 28, says: 'Athletes rarely get the chance to dress up and feel glam, the track is where we express that.
'When you’re wearing your country’s kit you can endup looking the same as everyone else, so experimenting with hair, make-up and nails is a way to set ourselves apart.'
Linaexpresses her individuality through her hair, makeup, and nails on the track.
To combat excessive sweating, she uses hypochlorous acid spray and keeps her skincare routine simple.
On race day, she moisturises more than usual to keep her skin protected and uses a primer to lock her makeup in place.
Lina Nielsen expresses her individuality through her hair, makeup, and nails on the track (stock image)
3. Daryll Neita: Sprinter
Being on the racing circuit means extensive travel for 27-year-old Daryll, which can cause her skin to suffer.
To combat this issue, she always travels with pimple patches and recommends the PanOxyl Overnight Spot Patches, which she regularly stocks up on in the States.
To avoid her make-up running from sweat, Daryll prefers to apply forFenty Beauty Skin Tints, £29, for its lightweight properties.
She fixes her makeup with Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder , £36.50, and NYX Butter Gloss in Ginger Snap, £7.49.
Daryll values self-expression on the track and always carries her Dyson Airwrap, £479.99, for quick hair styling.
To avoid her make-up running from sweat, Daryll Neita prefers to apply for Fenty Beauty Skin Tints, £29, for its lightweight properties (stock image)
4. Keely Hodgkinson: Middle distance runner
Race face: Keely Hodgkinson follows a "look good, feel good" mantra during each of her competitions (stock image)
The Olympian pictured with a natural face of makeup on the podium in Paris
Gold medal winner Keely, 22, follows a "look good, feel good" mantra during each of her competitions, adding: 'My beauty routine is all part of helping me get ready to compete and I love it!'
Her pre-race rituals include shaving her entire body, fake tanning, and using Kiehl's serum, moisturiser, eye cream, and a tinted SPF.
She also relies on setting spray and a good primer, such as the Refy Face Primer, £24, as well asL’Oréal's Glotion, £12, as a base.
Keely adds: 'At the moment using L’Oréal Glotion, £12, as my base. And I always wear fragrance when I compete. Some favourites are Montale Crazy In Love, £121, and Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood, £235.'
Keely loves wearing fragrances like Montale Crazy In Love, £121, and Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood, £235, and takes care of her body with Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturisers and a hair wand and gel to achieve striking blonde curls.
5. Grace Harvey: Para-swimmer
Grace Harvey, 25, adheres to a former coach's advice that "a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer," adding: 'I definitely feel joy when I’m feeling and looking race ready.'
Although she avoids makeup to prevent "panda eyes," her pre-competition routine includes eyebrow threading and eyelash tinting.
Grace combats the drying effects of daily swimming by using exfoliating gloves to buff her skin while showering, before putting moisture back into her face using a series of products.
Liz Earle Cleanse And Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, £20, Pixi Vitamin-C Serum, £26, and Nivea UV Face Shine Control Sun Cream SPF50, £10, are among her favourites.
Grace Harvey combats the drying effects of daily swimming by using exfoliating gloves to buff her skin while showering
6. Georgia-Mae Fenton: Gymnast
Georgia-May Fenton says that despite gymnastics being a composed sport, rules surrounding competitors' overall look have relaxed slightly (stock image)
Spraying her hair ahead of competing in the artistic gymnastics in Paris this summer
Georgia, 23, says that despite gymnastics being a composed sport, rules surrounding competitors' overall look have relaxed slightly.
Now, she enjoys putting getting creative with her nails and regularly treats herself to manicures before competitions - revealing she next hopes to feature the iconic Olympic rings for Paris.
Georgia uses tiger balm to relieve muscle tension and prefers citrusy fragrances and essential oil sprays for a fresh, calm feeling.
Georgia achieves the sleek look associated with Team GB with Eco Styler Gel, worth £3.99, and strong hairbands to keep her hair in place during routines.
