PARIS — U.S. track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when putting together their uniforms for the Olympics. The one getting the most attention is a low-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has sparked a debate between those who think it’s sexist and others who argue they don’t need to ‘Internet to ensure you have good uniforms.
Among those criticizing or mocking the uniforms are Paralympic athlete Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries like Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who ask on social media: “Has A female athlete -she was seen in this team outfit?!?
Answer: Yes.
USA Track and Field said uniform maker Nike consulted with several athletes when designing the uniforms, which were unveiled in Paris earlier this week. Among those taking part in the rollout were world sprint champion Sha’Carri Richardson and Olympic gold medalist Athing Mu, who wore versions of the uniform that covered more than the kit that attracted so much attention.
Nike responded to a request for comment from The Associated Press by sending a statement quoting executive John Hoke as saying the company had worked “directly with athletes at every step of the design process.”
USATF supported this assertion, saying that “athlete options and choices were the driving force for USATF in the planning process with Nike.”
Katie Moon, the reigning Nike-sponsored Olympic pole vault champion, offered the company’s most impassioned defense on social media. She began her post by saying that the leotard shown on the model “was concerning and warranted the response it received.”
But she said women have at least 20 different uniform combinations to compete in and can also choose styles designed for men.
“When you attack the buns and the crop top by saying something like ‘sexist’ (which it would be if that were our only choice), even if it is with the best of intentions, you are attacking by ultimately our decision as women to wear it,” she said.
Nike has already found itself at the center of another uniform debate. Several Major League Baseball players have complained about the fit of the new Nike Vapor Premier during spring training. Nike has been designing MLB uniforms since 2020 and Fanatics has been making them since 2017, but this marked the first year for the Nike Vapor Premier jerseys.
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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
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