Nike's Team USA women's track and field kit is unnecessarily revealing and sexist, female athletes say after the American sportswear brand unveiled its attire for this summer's Olympics.
An image released on Thursday of the women's kit on a mannequin shows a very high-cut panty line, prompting criticism from several athletes who say the decision prioritized revealingness over function. .
“It was never built for performance,” American steeplechase Colleen Quigley said in a message to Reuters.
Lauren Fleshman, the 2006 and 2010 5,000-meter U.S. champion, shared more harsh criticism in an Instagram post, writing, “I'm sorry, but I want to thank any team in the WNBA or NWSL that enthusiastically supports this kit.'' I would like you to tell me one thing,” he wrote. This is for Olympic athletics. Professional athletes need to be able to compete without having to constantly be on guard for their genitals or devoting their brain space to mental gymnastics that expose every vulnerable part of their bodies. Women's kit should help you perform both mentally and physically. If this outfit was really beneficial for physical performance, men would wear it too. ”
Do you allow content on Instagram?
This article contains content provided by Instagram. We may use cookies and other technologies, so we ask for your permission before loading anything. To view this content, Click “Allow and continue”.
She added: “This is not elite athletic kit for athletics. This is a costume born of patriarchal power, and it is no longer welcome or necessary to draw attention to women's sports. …stop making it difficult for half the population @nike @teamusa @usatf.”
American Tara Davis-Woodhall, who placed sixth in the long jump at the Tokyo Games and won silver at last year's world championships, reacted with equal parts humor and horror, saying, “Wait, there's going to be a hoo-ha.'' ” he commented.
The revealing attire of female Olympic athletes in everything from beach volleyball to gymnastics has been debated for years, and some of the rules regarding competition attire are changing.
Germany's women's gymnastics team wore full-length bodysuits at the Tokyo Olympics to protest against sexism in sport. New Zealand Gymnastics last week updated its dress code to allow women and girls to wear shorts or leggings over their leotards.
Nike said in an email to Reuters that while it only offered briefs at the Tokyo Olympics, it will offer athletes the option of a unitard with both briefs and shorts for this Olympics.
Nike's men's and women's track and field kits include approximately 50 pieces of apparel and 12 competition styles for specific events, the brand announced at the time of its launch.
Nike-sponsored pole vaulter Katie Moon said in a post on He added that he is given a choice and prefers briefs to shorts.
“Athlete options and choices were the driving force for USATF in the planning process with Nike,” a USA Track and Field spokesperson said.
American middle-distance runner Ashing Mu and American sprinter Sha Cari Richardson were among the athletes who modeled Nike's Olympic uniforms at the launch in Paris. Moo wore briefs, while Richardson wore a version of the costume with shorts.
Quigley said Nike should also offer teams custom-made kits for players to fit them perfectly.
“We all have different bodies and it seems foolish to expect to be able to compete at the highest level of our sport without wearing a properly fitted uniform,” she said.
Nike told Reuters it will offer tailoring to Olympic and Paralympic athletes this year.
