US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms.
Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in this team kit?!?”
USA Track and Field (USATF) said uniform maker Nike consulted with several athletes while designing the uniforms, which were unveiled in Paris on Thursday.
Photo: AFP
Among those participating in the rollout were world champion sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson and Olympic gold medalist Athing Mu. Mu wore briefs, while Richardson wore a version of the outfit with shorts, both of which covered more than the version shown on a mannequin that grabbed so much attention.
“They are absolutely not made for performance,” US steeplechaser Colleen Quigley said.
Nike said it worked directly with athletes throughout the design process.
USATF seconded that, saying that “athlete options and choices were the driving force for USATF in the planning process with Nike.”
Katie Moon, the defending Olympic champion in the pole vault who is sponsored by Nike, offered the most impassioned defense of the company on social media.
She said that the leotard shown on the mannequin “was concerning, and warranted the response it received.”
However, female athletes had at least 20 different combinations of uniforms to compete in, and can also choose the styles made for men.
“When you attack the buns and crop top saying something along the lines of it’s ‘sexist’ (which if that was our only choice, it would be), even if it’s with the best of intentions, you’re ultimately attacking our decision as women to wear it,” she said.
Debate has raged for years over more revealing outfits for female Olympians in disciplines from beach volleyball to gymnastics, and some rules on competition wear are changing.
Germany’s women’s gymnastics team wore full-length bodysuits at the Tokyo Olympics, in what they said was a stand against sexualization in the sport. Gymnastics New Zealand last week updated its attire rules to allow women and girls to wear shorts or leggings over their leotards.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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