Why do Olympic swimmers wear big parkas before racing? Warmth and personal pizzazz

NANTERRE, France — Two-time Olympic swimmer Regan Smith walked out on the pool deck before her 200-meter butterfly semifinal Wednesday night looking like she was ready to brave the elements of a wintery day in her home state, Minnesota.

Hooded puffy white Team USA parka. Thick bright pink mittens. Long pants and fluffy lined ankle boots. 

Anyone who’s spent time at an indoor pool is familiar with the literal climate: It’s often quite warm, can be stuffy and sometimes humid. And that’s generally what it’s felt like at Paris La Défense Arena during the Paris Olympics.

So why do Smith and many other Olympic swimmers look like they’re about to conquer the arctic tundra before they race? It’s a combination of warmth and adding some personal pizzazz. 

“The pink gloves are my own special little flare — and the boots,” Smith said after qualifying second for the 200 fly final. “My favorite color is pink, and in swimming, you can’t really express yourself that much. You can’t do anything fun with your hair, you can’t really wear makeup. So I like incorporating fun little cute things.”

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When swimmers get to their respective lanes, the layers disappear into a bin for them to collect afterward. Underneath all those clothes, they’re race-ready with their skin-tight (and very thin) tech suits, along with caps and goggles. 

Smith’s pre-race clothes help keep her muscles warm and ready to compete, as well. But she acknowledged, for her, it’s more about the aesthetic. 

For two-time Olympian Kate Douglass, wearing the big parka is definitely to help prevent her muscles from getting chilled between warming up and competing. 

“The second I get in a pool, I'm freezing, so that’s why I wear a parka,” Douglass said after qualifying first for Thursday’s 200-meter breaststroke final. “Immediately when I get out of the pool, I put the parka on because I just get really cold.”

The puffy Team USA parkas, the slightly lighter but still hooded black jackets or a simple T-shirt are all options for swimmers. And all official gear with swimming brand TYR as the national team sponsor. And some of the apparel can later be reworn as actual winter weather clothes.

While some swimmers like to be thoroughly bundled up, others opt for a jacket or t-shirt and shorts — or no pants at all. 

Sprinter Jack Alexy donned the lighter puffy black jacket and long pants before the men’s 100-meter freestyle final, while fellow 100 finalist Chris Guiliano likes to keep it a little lighter, gauging how to balance not being too hot or too cold before competing.

“I don't really like to sweat before my races, you know?” Guiliano said during his first Olympics. “So I'll throw on shorts and maybe a sweatshirt.”

But sometimes, it’s simply all about the style. 

“I just think it looks pretty sick,” first-time Olympian Alex Shackell said about her parka.