Nike presented a revealing outfit to the American athletes at the Olympics and drew fire from the athletes. Colleen Quigley, a runner who holds the world record in the 4*1,500, told Lehi that the outfit "is absolutely not built for athletic performance" Lauren Fleshman, a retired runner and coach, criticized the new clothing and said that "it's a costume born of patriarchal forces.
Stop making it difficult for half the population" Nike rejected the criticism and said the outfit in question is not the only option and that the athletes will be able to choose other options that even include pants. The brand's director of innovation, John Hook, told the New York Times that Nike designers created "almost 50 unique items" for the US track and field teams, including "a dozen competition styles tuned for specific events" But women have close to 20 different possible combinations and because men's uniforms are available to them as well, she added that "to call it sexist is ultimately to attack our decision as women to wear it"