Female Olympians are often judged on their looks. Now, some are taking control of their image

Anyone who's worn long, acrylic nails knows it can be difficult opening a door handle with them, let alone turning a double back tuck and sticking the landing.

But that's exactly what U.S. gymnast and Olympic silver medallist Jordan Chiles has been doing for years. Chiles, 23, who is heading to the Paris Games, is known in the gymnastics world for her grit, her 90s hip hop floor routine at the 2023 NCAA regional final (which earned her a perfect 10), and her long, painted nails.

"You know how people always have to have that one little touch of who they are within their sport? Mine are my nails," Chiles recently told The Associated Press.

The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), the global governing body for gymnastics, has extensive rules on "competition attire" for women's artistic gymnastics, including a leotard of "elegant design" with a "proper" neckline. Jewelry, other than small stud earrings, is prohibited, and makeup must be modest. Violations of attire can lead to points being deducted from a final score.

But there are no rules about nail length, and some gymnasts, like Chiles and 2021 gold medal winner Sunisa Lee, have embraced it in a sport that's historically been strict about how its athletes should look.

It's part of an evolving conversation about self-expression and femininity in sport as athletes like track stars Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Sha'Carri Richardson boast colourful hair and vibrant manicures. On the flip side, other athletes have decried longstanding sexism in sporting uniforms and have sometimes faced criticism for what they're wearing and their appearance.

Female athletes have historically been marketed in an over-sexualized manner, with more of a focus on their appearance than