Nike Under Fire After ‘Outrageous’ Women’s US Olympics Uniforms Are Unveiled

Nike under fire

The introduction of terms such as “strippers,” “patriarchy,” and “outrageous” in discussions about the new U.S. Olympic women’s track and field uniforms has the potential to reshape perceptions of Olympic track and field.

Not favorable

However, critics argue that this shift is not favorable. According to CBS Sports, Nike Vice President of Apparel Innovation Janett Nichol emphasized that apparel will play a significant role in the 2024 Olympics.

Pivotal moment

She described the Paris games as a pivotal moment for clothing. Some individuals are concerned that the emphasis on apparel could outshine the actual Olympic competitions.

Sports Research Lab

Although the Nike Sports Research Lab conducted body scanning and motion analysis to design the uniforms, the reaction has been largely negative.

Backlash

The backlash mirrors the criticism directed at Nike’s involvement in Major League Baseball, with both instances shedding light on the public’s sentiments.

Heather Lane

Heather Lane expressed the sentiment that Olympic runners should be viewed simply as athletes, not as objects for display, in a social media post.

Exposing everything

“This is a joke, right?” MaureenWRC posted. “Running in that outfit will gather the material in the center, exposing everything. Why can’t the women wear the same thing as the men?”

Game-changer

“It’s a game-changer for us,” Nichol said about the clothing, “because we’ve now been able to take athlete insights, along with data and use that algorithm to create something that allows us to get to a level of specificity, fidelity and accuracy that we’ve never been able to do before.”

Doubts

However, according to Sporting News, two running coaches have raised doubts.

Wuestenfeld asked

“Did anyone consult a woman on this race kit…?” coach Katherine Wuestenfeld asked. And coach Alison Staples said, “If the labia are hanging out on a still mannequin, what do we expect to happen to a moving person?”

Tara Davis-Woodhall

On social media, Olympic long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall was more direct: “wait my hoo haa is gonna be out.”

Lauren Fleshman

Lauren Fleshman, a two-time U.S. 5,000-meter champion, highlighted a double standard with the new uniforms, noting that similar designs would not be accepted in women’s basketball or soccer.

Beneficial

If the uniform was “truly beneficial to physical performance, men would wear it,” she added, according to Sporting News.

Elite

“This is not an elite athletic kit for track and field. This is a costume born of patriarchal forces that are no longer welcome or needed to get eyes on women’s sports,” Fleshman continued.

Criticized

Linda Flanagan criticized the uniforms as “outrageous” in a post, expressing concern that they could set a precedent for more revealing attire in girls’ high school sports.

Katie Moon

Gold medalist pole vaulter Katie Moon, who is set to compete in Paris, acknowledged trying on the uniform.

Controversial design

In an Instagram post, she commented on the controversial design displayed on a mannequin, stating that it was troubling but also acknowledged that Olympians have the freedom to choose what they wear. Fox News reported on her statements.

Sexist

“When you attack the buns and crop top saying something along the lines of it’s ‘sexist’ (which if that was our only choice, it would be), even if it’s with the best of intentions, you’re ultimately attacking our decision as women to wear it,” according to Moon.

Comfortable and confident

“And if you honestly think that on the most important days of our careers we’re choosing what we wear to appease the men watching over what we’re most comfortable and confident in, to execute to the best of our abilities, that’s pretty offensive,” she continued.

Hot and sweaty

“I personally like the buns because I want as little fabric clinging to me when I’m hot and sweaty (which I am at 99% of meets I compete in).”