Why do gymnasts use honey?

Question

I've been watching the olympics and have noticed little bear shaped bottles of honey everywhere. They use the powdered resin, spray their hands with water, etc but I can't figure out what the honey is for.

Answer 1

i hope you get some answers because id like to know too

Answer 2

They seem to use it to get the chalk to stick to their hands... check this answer on Yahoo Answers-- I think we all noticed this honey thing for the first time this year!

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

Answer 3

they may use it so that their leotards dont ride up. they usually have stuff called tough skin for that, im not sure

maybe they like to eat it

or maybe its really not honey

Answer 4

Gymnast, Geoff Corrigan's explanation:

"...the first worry that’s on my mind is the grip on the bars. So I make sure before I go that I can grip it real well. I put honey on my hands, and I put honey on the bars, then I put chalk on my hands, and then chalk on the bars — then a little bit more honey, a little bit more chalk, and I feel the

grip."

There you have it.  I think we've solved the great honey-bear mystery.