What is the powder gymnasts put on their hands and what is it for?

Question

What is the powder gymnasts put on their hands and what is it for?

Answer 1

Chalk...helps improve grip

Answer 2

its chalk, it keeps their hands from slipping.  

Answer 3

Gymnasts need to hold bars, handles etc. To get a good grip (obviously to win a gold medal!) they put powder on their hands. It is a kind of magnesium powder.

Answer 4

baby powder so they'll smell nice.

Answer 5

It's chalk, it helps them grip better.

Answer 6

It's chalk powder.

It helps their grip. I think it's something to do with drying up the moisture or the sweat off their hands or something like that.