Athletes are voicing dissatisfaction with the U.S. Olympic track and field uniforms for the upcoming Paris Games, particularly a leotard component that they say provides insufficient coverage.
A photo of a mannequin clad in the red, white, and blue leotard showed the outfit barely extending beyond the bikini line, raising questions about the absence of matching shorts. Criticism quickly surfaced on social media.
Retired track athlete Lauren Fleshman wrote on Instagram: “I’m sorry, but show me one WNBA or NWSL team who would enthusiastically support this kit.”
“This is for Olympic Track and Field. Professional athletes should be able to compete without dedicating brain space to constant pube vigilance or the mental gymnastics of having every vulnerable piece of your body on display,” she said. “‘Women’s kits should be in service to performance, mentally and physically. If this outfit was truly beneficial to physical performance, men would wear it.”
She continued, saying: “This is a costume born of patriarchal forces that are no longer welcome or needed to get eyes on women’s sports.”
Olympic hurdler Queen Harrison humorously suggested that the European Wax Center would be an apt sponsor for the team, implying the revealing nature of the uniform.
Paralympian Jaleen Roberts expressed concern on Instagram, pointing out that the mannequin was showing a lot even while stationary, compared to the strain put on the outfit in competition.
In response to the athletes’ concerns, USA Track and Field (USATF) stated that the uniform’s designer, Nike, had involved multiple athletes in the design process. Notably, runners Sha’Carri Richardson and Athing Mu had modeled versions of the uniform, which were described as significantly more conservative than the one under scrutiny.
Nike spokesman John Hoke insisted that athlete input was central throughout the entire design process, a sentiment echoed by USATF, emphasizing that providing athletes with options was key in the planning of the uniform collaboration with Nike.
• Staff can be reached at 202-636-3000.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.