Last week in
Paris,
Nike
presented the new uniforms that the US men's and women's track and field teams will wear at the
Paris 2024 Olympic Games
. The design of the version for athletes received a shower of criticism in recent days for its style considered excessively "revealing and sexist." So much so that
The Wall Street Journal
compared it to the sensual swimsuits that Pamela Anderson wore in Baywatch for having "a very high cut in the pubic area."
Lauren Fleshman
, the former American athlete who was a national champion in the 5000 meters in the 2000s, considered that the cut of these uniforms is not adequate to maximize performance. "The amount of attention that is required towards your pubes to wear something like that and on a world stage,
when you are trying to be carefree and free to push your limits and not be worried about every movement of your body... It is honestly a lack of respect
," declared the American.
In addition, the former athlete made a publication on her Instagram account where she expresses her rejection of the new models. "This is not an elite track suit.
It is a suit created by patriarchal forces that are no longer welcome
or necessary to direct attention to women's sports."
It's an opinion shared by several athletes, such as
Queen Harrison-Claye
, sprinter and hurdler, who ironically suggested that the
European Wax Center
should sponsor her team because of how revealing the bodysuit is. This is a famous hair removal center in Florida.
Nike defended its work by highlighting that it made the uniforms taking into account the wishes of its athletes and stressed that each athlete can choose the style that they consider most comfortable for competing. In the official statement presenting the uniforms, the brand highlighted that the "voice of the athletes" was the main focus when designing the product.
On the other hand, there are athletes who defend the freedom of choice that the brand provides them. Katie Moon, pole vault champion in Tokyo associated with Nike, also shared her thoughts on the new models in a post on Instagram. "I want to be clear and start by saying that
what was shown on the mannequin was concerning and justified the response she received
," the 32-year-old athlete began. She went on to highlight that: "We do have the choice of what to wear, and
if we feel better in a potato sack or a swimsuit during competitions
, we should support autonomy."
The "Baywatch"-style Nike Olympics women's track-and-field kit revealed this week in Paris drew criticism from runners: "It's honestly disrespectful” https://t.co/3WfYbWp2oq https://t.co/3WfYbWp2oq
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) April 12, 2024
The brand said in its statement that: "With nearly 50 pieces to choose from in men's and women's athletics and a dozen competition styles tailored for specific events,
athletes can choose uniforms that meet their personal style and preference without sacrificing comfort during the races." Games
".
In this sense, it is worth highlighting the fact that
Sha'Carri Richardson
, world champion in Budapest 2023, presented the uniforms in Paris wearing the version with shorts.
The Olympic Games will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11.
With EFE information