Louis Smith has put himself on a dating ban.

Louis Smith

Louis Smith

The 27-year-old Olympic gymnast has admitted he won't take any girls on a date until the Olympic Games, which will take place in Rio, Brazil, next month, have ended because he doesn't want to enter into a romance and be "side tracked" during the competition by any potential lovers.

Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, he said: "A distraction is a distraction whether it's good or bad. It's still a distraction. So I don't want to fall in love.

"Women are not going to improve my performance.

"Like don't get me wrong, I've still been speaking to girls but I've just made it very clear that I have no qualms in just talking as friends, but I'm not going to take you out or anything until after the Olympic Games. Because that's my priority and I don't want my brain side tracked.

"I don't want to be in my Olympic warm up and then seeing a text from you and having it distract me.

"It's like putting a certain aspect of your life on pause. In terms of meeting and dating women, that part is on pause."

And the dark-haired hunk - who split from former 'The Only Way Is Essex' star Lucy Mecklenburgh earlier this year - has revealed he has completely cut all contact with the female sex prior to the ultimate sporting extravaganza.

When asked how he intends to enforce his ban on women, he said: "Pretty much not talk to them.

"I don't put myself in the position where I think to myself 'I like this person' like I won't let the talking get to that point."

And Louis - who won the silver medal in the pommel horse finals at the European Men's Artistic Gymnastics Championships in 2012 - has revealed he can "resume" his love life after the competition.

He said: "When the Olympic games finish. Alcohol, junk food, going to restaurants and eating out, that is on pause. After the Olympics, I just literally have to press resume and pick up on that part of my life when it happens.

"It's all about moderation and sacrifice."