Last Saturday, the women’s groups of gymnasts debuted in the first competitions within the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, with incredible athletes like Simone Biles demonstrating their strength and talent. However, one of the details that was most noted were the uniforms.
During their training today, the German delegation team wore a different uniform than what is usually known: a long-sleeved unitardo that covers their legs to the ankle.
According to the German Gymnastics Federation, the new outfits of Kim Bui, Pauline Schaefer, Sarah Voss and Elisabeth Seitz are a form of statement against the hypersexualization of gymnasts within the Olympic Games.
Seitz, Bui and Voss began to use this type of unitard in the competitions of the European Cup of Gymnastics in Basel, Switzerland last April, which generated controversy, since it is an outfit very different from the usual short-sleeved leotard and bikini cut.
The costume change comes after it was shown that on different gymnastics teams in the United States, official team doctors such as Larry Nassar were accused of sexually abusing young gymnasts during the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
Obviously, the costume change does not mean that abuse could be prevented, but it does make clear that, more than being a practical suit, the revealing tights only serve to sexualize the competitors, many of whom are between 16 and 20 years old.
We women want to be able to feel comfortable in our own skin. In the sport of gymnastics it is increasingly difficult to do so as your child’s body grows. When I was a child, I didn’t see anything wrong with gym uniforms. But when my puberty started and my period hit, I started to feel more and more uncomfortable.
– Sarah Voss
It’s worth mentioning that athletes may or may not face a fine for adjusting their uniforms during their routines, so this new suit could reduce the risk of misfit or failure mid-performance.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
