Some say No Socks Day (observed annually on May 8) is a chance to free your feet of those smelly, sweaty socks, while others say it's a chance to better the environment because you will have a little less laundry to do. All we know for sure is athletes from 11 of our favorite Olympic and Pan American sports enjoy celebrating a lack of socks every day. Take a look at these sockless sports and just how successful Team USA can be without socks...
1) Beach Volleyball
Beach volleyball players have been going sockless at the Olympic Games since the sport’s debut in 1996, and over the past 19 years, Team USA athletes have won nine medals – all in their bare feet!
2) Diving
Divers have been going sockless at the Olympic Games since the sport’s debut in 1904, and over the past 111 years, Team USA athletes have won 135 medals – all in their bare feet!
3) Gymnastics
Artistic gymnastics made its Olympic debut in 1896, and over the past 119 years, Team USA athletes have won 101 medals – though we can’t quite be sure how many are attributed to sockless athletes!
4) Judo
Judokas have been going sockless at the Olympic Games since the sport’s debut in 1964, and over the past 51 years, Team USA athletes have won 12 medals – including their first gold in 2012!
5) Karate
Karate athletes have been going sockless at the Pan American Games since the sport’s debut in 1995, and over the past 20 years, Team USA athletes have won 23 medals – all in their bare feet!
6) Swimming
Swimmers have been going sockless at the Olympic Games since the sport’s debut in 1896, and over the past 119 years, Team USA athletes have won an astounding 520 medals – all in their bare feet!
7) Synchronized Swimming
Synchronized swimmers have been going sockless at the Olympic Games since the sport’s debut in 1984, and over the past 31 years, Team USA athletes have won nine medals – all in their bare feet!
8) Taekwondo
Taekwondo athletes have been going sockless at the Olympic Games since the sport’s debut in 2000, and over the past 15 years, Team USA athletes have won eight medals – all in their bare feet!
9) Triathlon
While triathletes do wear shoes on their feet for the running and cycling legs, most triathletes still go sockless for the entire race! Triathletes have been going sockless at the Olympic Games since the sport’s debut in 2000, and Team USA won its sole triathlon medal in 2004.
10) Water Polo
Water polo players have been going sockless at the Olympic Games since the sport’s debut in 1900, and over the past 115 years, Team USA athletes have won 10 medals, including their first gold in 2012 – all in their bare feet!
11) Water Ski
Water skiers have been going sockless at the Pan American Games since the sport’s debut in 1995, and over the past 20 years, Team USA athletes have won 37 medals – all in their bare feet!