Nike's designs included a unitard option with a high-cut bikini line.
Nike has unveiled its women's track and field uniforms for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, but the design has come under fire online from athletes and fans amid claims of sexism.
Concerns were raised last week after Citius Magazine posted on social platforms an image of a design for a women's unitard featuring a high-cut bikini line.
The post received thousands of comments, including from former American athletes.
Former American track and field athlete Lauren Fleshman posted an image of male and female costumes on mannequins on her Instagram account, criticizing the brand for concerns about sexism in a long caption.
“Sorry, but please tell me one WNBA or NWSL team that would enthusiastically support this kit,” she wrote. “This is for Olympic track and field. Professional athletes need to be able to compete without having to constantly be on guard for their genitals or devoting their brain space to the mental gymnastics of exposing every vulnerable part of their body. not.”
She continued: “Women's kit should benefit performance both mentally and physically. If this outfit really benefits physical performance, then men should wear it too.” ” he continued.
Fleshman noted that the design is “not sportswear for the elite,” adding, “This is a costume born of patriarchal forces that is no longer welcome and calls for attention to women's sports.” None,” he added.
Olympic champion pole vaulter Katie Moon also raised the issue on her Instagram account, saying: “The image of the outfit shown on the mannequin is concerning and the reaction received is understandable.”
However, President Moon shared in his post that female athletes have “at least 20 different combinations of competitive uniforms,” including options for men.
“And I honestly think that on the most important day of our careers, we choose the clothes we wear to appease the men who are watching over us so that we can be the most comfortable, confident, and perform to the best of our abilities.” If so, that's pretty unpleasant,'' she added.
Nike said in a statement to ABC News that the outfit is one of a “wide range of styles” it offers athletes to choose from. “We will also have tailored options available to Olympic and Paralympic athletes at the Games,” the brand said.
Meanwhile, John Hawk, Nike's chief innovation officer, said in a press release last week that the brand “prioritizes performance and maximum breathability, creating a wide range of silhouettes for different sports disciplines, body types, and sizes.” “We have designed the Paris 2024 Athletics Kit to provide to our athletes.” . ”
The U.S. track and field team also released its own statement to ABC News regarding Nike's uniform announcement, saying the outfit was “one of many choices, including 50 unique items, for athletes to choose from for the upcoming Olympics.” It's not too much,” he said. ”
“Athletes' choices and choices were the driving force for USATF in the planning process with Nike,” the statement continued. “USATF also recognizes that Nike consulted with athletes throughout the design process to ensure all athletes were comfortable and the uniforms were appropriate for their respective sports.”
Criticism of the design of Nike's women's track and field uniforms comes after Nike completely overhauled the uniforms of Major League Baseball players league-wide, which received backlash from some fans and players who said the jerseys and pants were too transparent. It happened less than two months after.
MLB said in a February statement that it would work with Nike to coordinate uniforms, and the league was “in close contact with our clubs and uniform partners to ensure clubs have what they need for Opening Day.” said.
Nike also said in a statement that it will continue to work closely with MLB and its players.
“The quality and performance of our products is of paramount importance to us, and we continue to work collaboratively with MLB, our players, and our manufacturing partners on player uniforms,” Nike said in a statement at the time.
