When Dorothy Hamill skated on the ice at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, all eyes were on her smooth jumping and spinning technique, which earned her the gold medal in women’s figure skating. Her “Hamill Camel,” a camel spin followed by a sit spin, left an unforgettable impression. So did her wedge cut, designed by famous stylist Yusuke Suga. Who in Hamill’s native United States didn’t want that bob haircut after her victory? And, without a doubt, its appeal was strong abroad too.
The Olympics and Paralympics are a platform for athletes to make beauty statements, some of which are permanent.
After winning his gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, swimmer Chris Jacobs stopped off in Hawaii to get a small five rings tattoo added to the existing one he had hidden under his swimsuit. He then got a larger five rings tattoo on his bicep. Jacobs’ tattoo was so groundbreaking that he became known as the “Godfather of the Olympic Rings Tattoo.” He created the tattoo that is now considered a rite of passage for many Olympians.
The rings come in many forms: Mongolian team coach Undralbat Lukagba cut his hair and dyed it in the shape and colour of the Olympic rings ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics; eight years earlier, Jamaican hurdler Nikkiesha Wilson had rings shaved into her closely cropped hair for the 2012 London Olympics.
Dutch windsurfer Kiran Badroux also showed off an original hairstyle at the 2020 Summer Olympics, with bright blue arrow-shaped hair on top inspired by the character Aang from the TV show “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Another memorable look from the Olympics was tennis star Naomi Osaka’s long red and white box braids.
At the 2012 London Paralympics, Brazilian sprinter Terezinha Guillermina wore brightly colored adornments in her flowing hair. U.S. soccer player Megan Rapinoe is known for using bright colors in her hair (think periwinkle and robin’s egg blue). Italian Paralympic fencer Bebe Vio also sports a range of hues.
Olympics have produced many magical makeup moments. Kristi Yamaguchi, with bright lips and matching rosy cheeks, smiled for the cameras while holding her women’s figure skating gold medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.
Italian synchronized swimmers Mariangela Perpato and Giulia Lapi wore a full face of makeup while competing in the 2012 London Olympics, while track and field champion Dee Dee Trotter had her face splashed with the tricolours of the American flag.
Four years later, at the closing ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, American gymnast Simone Biles led Team USA as the flag bearer, wearing silver glitter around her eyes and a patriotic red, white, and blue ribbon in her hair. The gymnast is also known for her impressive nail art; U.S. sprinter Sha’Cary Richardson, tennis player Venus Williams, and track and field athlete Florence Griffith Joyner are also known for their nail art, and all sported full makeup while competing.
The beauty of the Olympic and Paralympic Games is that they are always evolving, so let’s see what happens in Paris.
