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German gymnasts wear full-body uniforms to avoid "sexualization"

2021-07-26T11:33:27.545Z


The German gymnastics team decided to change the traditional outfits at the Olympics and received support from their federation.


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Tokyo (CNN) -

Germany's women's gymnastics team has given up bikini-cut uniforms and opted for full-body versions at the Tokyo Olympics, in what the German Gymnastics Federation has called a statement. against "sexualization".

The suits, which the team wore in their qualifications at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Sunday, cover the legs to the ankle and contrast with the high-cut leotards worn by many other gymnasts at the Olympics.

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"It's about what you feel comfortable with," said German gymnast Elisabeth Seitz.

"We wanted to show that every woman, everyone, should decide what to wear."

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The team also wore those tights during their podium training at the Ariake Gymnastics Center on Thursday after debuting them in April at the European Championships in Basel, Switzerland.

The outfits are a statement against "sexualization in gymnastics," the German Gymnastics Federation said in April, adding: "The aim is to present yourself aesthetically, without feeling uncomfortable."

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According to the International Gymnastics Federation, the governing body for competitive gymnastics, gym clothing with full or half sleeves and leg covers is allowed in competition, as long as the color matches the leotard.

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Seitz said other athletes had responded positively to the uniforms and that he hoped others would feel free to wear the garment of their choice in the future.

"Most of the people were positive about it. But after the European championships, time was too short for others to design a jumpsuit. Maybe in the future. We really look forward to it," Seitz said.

Coaches' support at the Olympics

The team said it made the decision to wear the uniforms at the Olympics as a group and was supported by its coaches.

"The girls had a great influence on this," said gymnast Sarah Voss.

"The coaches were also very interested. They said they wanted us to feel more confident and comfortable in any case. It just makes you feel better and more comfortable," she said.

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Seitz stressed that wearing such a uniform was a matter of choice and comfort.

"We decided this is the most comfortable suit for today," Seitz said after podium training on Thursday.

"That doesn't mean we don't want to wear the normal leotard anymore. It's a day-to-day decision, based on how we feel and what we want. On the day of the competition, we will decide what to wear," he said.

CNN's Claudia Otto and Nina Avramova contributed reporting.

Germany olympic games Tokyo 2020

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2021-07-26

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