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Nike steals from the female athletes of the US Olympic team: the outfit it designed for the Olympics is sexist, patriarchal and not suitable for sports.
Last week, Nike revealed part of the uniform it designed for the US team for the Paris Olympics that will be held this year, alongside the uniforms of other countries. The uniforms designed for the American female athletes were characterized by a particularly high bikini line and led to a large protest among the American female athletes who were supposed to wear them, along with criticism that the uniforms are not at all suitable for the intense sports activity that characterizes professional athletes, certainly in the Olympics - the world record event for every male and female athlete.
Colleen Quigley, a runner who holds the world record in the 4*1,500 and one of the medal hopes of the US team in 2024, told Lehi that the outfit "is absolutely not built for athletic performance." She added that "I still want to be on the team, but...". Hurdles champion Kevin Harrison Clay tagged the European wax center and wrote: "Would you like to sponsor the US team for the upcoming Olympic Games!? Thank you." Paralympic runner Jaylin Roberts added: "This doll is standing still and yet you can see everything... imagine what would happen in a medium level activity."
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." And Olympic long jumper Tara Davies-Woodhull concluded: "Just wait and see, my 'hoo-ha' is going to be out."
Nike rejected the criticism and said that 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." He told the Associated Press that "Nike worked directly with athletes throughout every step of the design process". They are also expected to join a delegation of tailors who will be able to adjust and repair the outfits in the field.
Pole vaulter Katie Moon, who holds the gold medal from Tokyo 2020 and is a Nike presenter, defended the brand on social media. She wrote that the outfit looks "alarming", 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."