The much-awaited event: Paris 2024

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, a global sporting event, took place from July 26th to August 11th, 2024. This edition marked the third time the French capital hosted the Games, following the editions of 1900 and 1924. 

However, an unexpected controversy erupted around the attire worn by American athletes. Conceived and unveiled by Nike on April 11, these outfits sparked lively reactions and debates about their design and relevance. This controversy raised broader questions about cultural norms, athlete comfort and performance, and respect for individual choices in attire. In a context where Paris 2024 placed a special emphasis on inclusion and gender equality, this debate took a particular significance.

The controversy over attire: Nike’s uniforms don't meet with unanimous approval

On April 11th, 2024, Nike unveiled uniforms for American athletes, one of which garnered significant controversy. It was a fuchsia pink bodysuit, particularly revealing and form-fitting around the crotch area. This outfit, deemed by some as overly revealing, sparked passionate debates on the sexualization of female athletes and gender equality in sports. On social media, Lauren Fleshman, former American 5,000m champion, stated, "Professional athletes should be able to compete without constantly thinking about pubic hair removal or exposing intimate body parts." She further emphasized that it was "a suit designed by patriarchal forces that are no longer welcome in women's sport." Thus, some critics argued that these outfits diverted attention from the athletes' sporting performances, highlighting a double standard since men can wear more covering attires. "If this outfit truly enhanced physical performance, men would wear it," Lauren Fleshman added.

Middle-distance runner Colleen Quigley also criticized the Nike-proposed outfits, stating they were "absolutely not performance-oriented." On a funnier tone, sprinter Queen Claye sarcastically suggested a partnership between Team USA and a waxing brand. 

Nike answered to the controversy and suggested modifications

In response to these critiques, Nike and the American Federation quickly clarified that athletes would have the option to customize their outfits, including adding shorts. A spokesperson for the American Athletics Federation told Reuters, "Athletes’ options and choices were the driving force behind the Federation’s planning process with Nike." Thus, at the uniform presentation in Paris, sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson wore a version of the outfit with shorts. Additionally, reigning American Olympic pole vault champion Katie Moon also reacted on X (formerly Twitter). She said she was "taken aback" by the showcased uniform but noted that athletes had "at least 20 different combinations with many tops and bottoms available."

Some positive comments about these outfits also emerged, highlighting their modernity, aerodynamics, and ability to enhance performance. "These gears are designed to help us go faster," said an American sprinter, emphasizing the importance of innovation in sports apparel.

Clothing norms and gender equality: A crucial debate

However, it's important to note that the reason this attire sparked such reactions was because it wasn't an exception in the sports world. Whether in figure skating, athletics, tennis, or volleyball, differences in dress standards based on gender abound. In other words, comparing male and female attire can underscore existing disparities, prompting reflection on gender equality and the need to treat athletes fairly. Melissa Plaza, former international footballer, highlighted to Arte, that "in football, shorts are gradually getting shorter, jerseys are getting closer to the body, sleeves are getting shorter." Thus, female athletes were gradually rising against these dictates, which, beyond the problem of sexualization, can hinder their performance. This was the case with gymnast Sarah Voss, who, distracted by her scantily clad leotard, exchanged it for a bodysuit. More than just unsuitable, the equipment offered to athletes can pose a health risk. Indeed, this is what several scientific studies, doctors, and experts in women's football pointed out in an article published in Sports Engineering in 2022. For instance, women are equipped with the same sports bras provided by sponsors, without taking their body types into account. Additionally, a known issue with women's sports equipment is cleats. Indeed, sports shoes for football in particular are just smaller versions of men's sports shoes. However, the shape, volume, and the ratio between the foot and the toes differ by gender. As a result, the performance of female football players is reduced, and the risk of injury is higher.

Paris 2024, a celebration of sport and essential debates

Thus, Paris 2024 was not only a high-level sports competition but also a platform for dialogue on crucial societal issues. As the world's eyes turned to the City of Light, these Olympic Games proved to be a global celebration of sport and a platform for important debates on equality, representation, and athlete rights.

Sources

Okholm Kryger, Katrine, et al. "Ten questions in sports engineering: technology in elite women’s football." Sports Engineering 25.1 (2022): 25.

France TV Slash, “Les tenues des athlètes américain.es pour les J.O.” (2024)

Mary Whitfill Roeloffs pour Forbes US – traduit par Flora Lucas, “Polémique aux États-Unis après la révélation des tenues féminines conçues par Nike pour les JO 2024” Forbes (2024)

La Rédaction, “JO Paris 2024 : la tenue des athlètes américaines, jugée trop échancrée, fait polémique” Le Figaro (2024)

Nicolas Camus, “JO Paris 2024 : « Inutilement révélatrices et sexistes », les tenues des athlètes américaines font polémique” 20 Minutes (2024)