Nike's new Paris 2024 Olympic track and field uniforms are said to have been designed with athletes in mind, but the internet isn't buying it.
It all started when running magazine Citius Magazine published a first look at the Nike kits that will be worn by the U.S. track and field team this summer.
Thousands of people and some athletes flooded the comments section of the post, criticizing the design of the women's uniform in the photo. The blue and red striped leotard has “USA” written on it. Detractors of this look say it's too revealing.
Since the post went viral, athletes including Olympic pole vaulter Katie Moon and former U.S. track and field athlete Lauren Fleshman have weighed in on the issue.
“Let's use the old USA kit and make it ✨less✨,” pro runner Philly Bowden wrote in the comments.
Here's what you need to know about the latest controversy, including Nike's opinion.
What does Nike say about this?
Nike has postponed an investigation into the recent wave of online criticism, citing an article written about the uniforms as its official stance on the issue.
The company wrote that the uniform is “the most athlete-informed, data-driven and visually unified thing the company has ever created.” Each kit is inspired by “the unique identities and diverse communities that each country and sport represent.”
Nike's goal from the beginning has been to create uniforms that give each athlete a voice and “meet an athlete's desire for choice, comfort, and performance.” They say this goal has been achieved in every sport they have designed uniforms for, including track and field.
Chief Innovation Officer John Hawk, quoted in the article, said, “Nike prioritizes performance and maximum breathability, offering athletes a wide range of silhouettes to suit different sports disciplines, body types, and sizes. That's why we designed the Paris 2024 Athletics Kit.” .
There are nearly 50 unique track and field uniform options for men and women, including the new leotard. Athletes also have the opportunity to choose clothing and clothing combinations that best match their style and personal preferences, Nike writes.
“We had the opportunity to share feedback and insights that would benefit the new USATF kit,” track and field athlete Anna Cockrell said in a news release. “During testing, the fit allowed me to move freely without distraction. I love how the look represents Team USA.”
Athletes outraged over comments that Olympic uniforms were “born out of patriarchal power''
Queen Harrison Clay was one of the many athletes to joke in the comments section, writing: “Hello @europeanwax, would you like to sponsor Team USA at the upcoming Olympics?” Please and thank you. ”
Others expressed similar sentiments, like Jalene Roberts, who wrote, “Imagine this mannequin standing still and everything visible…in flight.”
Nike's Instagram page has been flooded with comments over the past few days.
“Shame, shame, shame that Nike treated women as second-class citizens in their Olympic costumes. Is that the best they can do?” Angelo Malefakis wrote.
Freshman, a former track and field athlete, reposted the image on his page and wrote: This is for Olympic track and field events. ”
“Women's kit has to help them perform both mentally and physically,” Fleshman says. “If this costume was truly beneficial to physical performance, men would wear it too. This is not elite athletic kit for athletics. This is a costume born of patriarchal forces and is no longer welcome. There is no need to look at women's sports.''
Other athletes defend their looks too
Another runner, Sinclair Johnson, had a different view.
“Lol, I agree with these comments 💀 But Nike included several of us in the kit testing process, so I can tell you that real human bottoms don't look like this. .”
President Moon expressed a similar view, saying, “I love people who advocate for women, but we have at least 20 different combinations of uniforms, with all the tops and bottoms available, that we can compete with.'' ” he wrote. Men's options are also available if desired. ”
Moon also said she doesn't mind wearing less fabric and revealing more skin.
“I personally like buns because when I'm hot and sweaty (which I do 99% of the time), I want to minimize fabric clinging to my body. ” she said. We should support autonomy over what to wear, whether you feel best wearing a potato sack while competing or whether you feel best wearing a bathing suit. ”
