US officials defend 'sexist' 2024 Paris Olympics kit, say athletes have options

United States track and field athletes will have multiple kit options to choose from for the Olympics, officials said Sunday, following criticism over one skimpy design for the Paris games that has been branded "sexist."

Several women athletes have taken aim at a leotard uniform revealed by Nike as part of a launch event last week to unveil Olympic kits.

The leotard features a high-cut pantyline which has triggered a wave of criticism from US athletes past and present.

Former US national 5,000m champion Lauren Fleshman decried the design in an Instagram post, saying it was unsuitable for competition.

"Professional athletes should be able to compete without dedicating brain space to constant pube vigilance or the mental gymnastics of having every vulnerable piece of your body on display," Fleshman wrote.

"If this outfit was truly beneficial to physical performance, men would wear it.

"This is not an elite athletic kit for track and field. This is a costume born of patriarchal forces that are no longer welcome or needed to get eyes on women's sports. ... Stop making it harder for half the population @nike @teamusa @usatf."

US long-jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall signalled her bemusement meanwhile in a comment under a social media post by track and field media outlet Citius which showed the designs.

"Wait my hoo haa is gonna be out," Davis-Woodhall quipped.

Nike did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more on FRANCE 24 English

Read also:
Ageing Paris metro system to face Olympic challenge of 7 million visitors
Olympic flame to burn in front of Louvre museum during Paris 2024 Games
Will the 2024 Olympics change image of Paris region’s troubled Seine-Saint-Denis?