40 Weird Rules That Olympic Athletes Must Follow

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.

Competitors in the boxing competition must be clean shaven or have limited facial hair. That pencil mustache is a-go.

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.

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

Athletes are not allowed to express any form of protest on the field of play, in the Village, during ceremonies, or at the opening and closing ceremonies. The rule was put into place prior to the 2020 competition and has faced significant pushback.

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.

While you may think male figure skaters could wear tight a la dancers, that's not the case. Trousers are a dress code requirement.

While men have to wear pants, ladies aren't allowed. Even if they're simple and sheer, a skirt is required.

Per the International Olympic Committee, 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.

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.

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

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.

While fights are rare in 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.

Dunking is allowed in Olympic basketball. However, players aren't allowed to hang onto the hoop after doing so.

If a swimmer sets a world record, it's not automatically recorded. Athletes have to fax in their record. Yes, fax.

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.

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.

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

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

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

An apple? Yes. An apple and a to-go tray? Not so much. Only one hand-held item or one beverage can be removed from the Olympic Village food court.

While there are no options beyond the bikini, if beach volleyball players choose to wear one, the sides of the bottom can't be any wider than 7 centimeters.

Gymnasts' uniforms are strictly regulated, and scoop or v-necks that extend beyond the mid-sternum aren't allowed.

Water polo is a tough sport, but there's no excessive force — and that includes groin grabbing.

Throw that hoop or ribbon too high in rhythmic gymnastics, and that's too bad. Props can't be retrieved during a routine, and athletes must keep going without them — even if their hoop is in a rafter.

If teams show up in the same color, a coin toss gets to decide who has to change.

If a team believes a score is unfair, gymnasts have to pay $300 to have it re-evaluated. If the challenge overturns scoring, the team gets their money back. If it's not, the cash goes to charity.

When it comes to Olympic cycling, there's also a strange uniform rule. Socks can't be higher than mid-calf, and they are measured.

Olympic runners who choose to hold hands at the finish line are disqualified due to a rule that says you can't have a contrived tie.

Figure skaters don't have a set uniform, but there are major rules. One of them is that there can be no excessive nudity. That's exactly why you see so flesh-toned panels — to give the illusion of skin without breaking rules.

If an Olympic golfer doesn't sign their score card, they are disqualified even if they won.

According to the United States Olympic rulebook, a failure to reach full extension — a.k.a. a bold, high, and confident take-off before their dive — can cause up to a 2 ½ point deduction.

Who knew canoe racing, better known as the slalom, was so cutthroat? The rules state that if an athlete misses one of the 18-25 gates on the course, they are given a 50-second penalty on their final time.

They can't even click their tongues to control their horse. This rule was enforced at the 1932 Olympics when a Swedish equestrian was demoted to last place for making a clicking sound — even though he claimed it was just his saddle.

Per the rulebook, Olympic archers only get 40 seconds between shots — no pressure, right? It's not like there's anything on the line...just an Olympic medal.

What, you didn't know race walking was an Olympic sport? What sets it apart from running is the fact that the athlete must always maintain contact with the ground. Olympic judges note the technique of an athlete to determine fouls and disqualification.

The standard surface for an Olympic event in tennis is a hard court and all players must be prepared to play on it. This is unlike other professional tournaments, like Wimbledon or the French Open, which are played on grass and clay.

In a bid to prevent any disadvantages, water polo athletes are forbidden from having "grease, oil, or any similar substance on the body" during competition.

Most beach volleyball athletes prefer to go barefoot during competition in order to help with their mobility in the sand. Lucky for them, there's no mandatory policy for athletes to wear footwear during matches at the Olympics.

Per the USA shooting rifle rules, a rifle can't leave the firing lane during the event, unless it has been approved by the referees.

This is a relatively recent rule. Basically, if a body of water is above 20 degrees celsius, wet suits are a no-go. But if the water temperature drops below 16 degrees celsius, swimmers are required to wear a wet suit.