Photos of full-body suits worn by athletes, representing different countries in olympics, circulated the social media and raised a debate about the reason behind the unprecedented change in traditional suits for games like gymnastics, beach handball and swimming. Claims about the reason varied where some resorted to believe it is because some countries are promoting conservativeness or freedom of dress choice.
Freedom of belief
For so long, suits has had the same appearance, which could contradict with players’ beliefs at certain life stage and, consequently push them towards early retirement. Aside from beliefs, the unified dress code woudn’t guarantee equal comfy for all female players. This would sum up the reason proposed by the German women’s gymnastics team.
The German team wore full-body suits in qualifications at Tokyo Olympics on Sunday. This move was intended to promote freedom of choice and encourage women to wear what makes them feel comfortable, according to the team’s statements. The team competed in red and white unitards, combined with leotards and leggings extending to the ankles.
Sarah Voss, 21-year-old team member, said in press statements “We want to make sure everyone feels comfortable and we show everyone that they can wear whatever they want and look amazing, feel amazing, whether it is in a long leotard or a short one."
Stand against Sexualization
Voss also mentioned that the long-legged unitards were could also defeat the growing sexualization of women in Gymnastics and drifting the focus from their performance to their bodies.
German team member Elisabeth Seitz said her hopes are high that the unitard would inspire “all gymnasts who may feel uncomfortable or even sexualised in normal suits”.
Earlier this month, Norway’s beach handball team refused to wear what they labelled as “sexist rules” about their uniform as they wore shorts instead of bikini bottoms in the European Handball Championship and were, accordingly, charged a fine of £1,300 by the European Handball Federation which deemed their outfit as “improper clothing”.
There is a remarkable difference between what men and women have to wear under the international handball rules. Although men are allowed to wear vest tops and shorts, women have to wear bikini bottoms “with a close fit and cut on an upward angle towards the top of the leg”.
Although beach handball is not played in olympics, similar rules are applied on women in beach volleyball.