A Provocative Design
Los Angeles, California – Team uniforms for the Paris 2024 Olympics have stirred controversy due to the revealing nature of a red, white, and blue leotard.
The garment, which barely covers the bikini line and appears to lack matching shorts, has left many athletes and sports enthusiasts expressing their concerns. A photograph of the uniform on a mannequin has since gone viral on social media.
Athlete Outcry
Olympic track and field athletes Sha’Carri Richardson and Athing Mu have expressed their dissatisfaction with the uniform, stating that the version they modeled covered more than the kit that has sparked ire.
“This is a costume born of patriarchal forces that are no longer welcome or needed to get eyes on women’s sports,” said retired track athlete Lauren Fleshman.
Olympic gold medalist pole vaulter Katie Moon, who intends to defend her title in Paris, defended Nike but acknowledged that the leotard displayed on the mannequin “was concerning, and warranted the response it received.”
Nike’s Defense
Nike has asserted that the design process involved direct consultations with multiple athletes throughout various stages. The company emphasized that athlete preferences drove the design choices.
Social Media Uproar
The reaction to the uniform has ignited a heated debate on social media. Some users joked about the need for a partnership with the European Wax Center, while others expressed concerns about the garment’s practicality during athletic performance.
Paralympian long jumper Jaleen Roberts wrote on Instagram, “This mannequin is standing still and everything’s showing… imagine MID FLIGHT.”
An Open Discussion
Moon highlighted the importance of allowing athletes to make choices regarding their attire, arguing that criticism of the bun style uniform could be perceived as offensive to women who opt to wear it. She added that she tried on the controversial leotard and did not experience concerns about exposure.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
