Current:Home > MarketsNike draws heat over skimpy U.S. women's track and field uniforms for Paris Olympics-InfoLens
Nike draws heat over skimpy U.S. women's track and field uniforms for Paris Olympics
View Date:2024-12-23 11:21:44
Nike is defending its design of uniforms for the women's track and field team representing the U.S. at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which have spurred criticism from some female athletes and revived debate over sexism in sports.
The outfits, which Nike unveiled at a special event in Paris and were first posted by digital media company Citius Mag, have a high-cut leg that that barely covers their display mannequin's groin area. The male version, by contrast, provides significantly more coverage.
Commenting on Citius Mag's post, steeplechase competitor and Olympian Colleen Quigley wrote, "I mean I still wanna make the team but…." Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, also a track and field competitor weighed in too, writing, "I'm someone's mom, I can't be exposing myself in such ways."
Added Paralympian and track and field athlete Jaleen Roberts, "This mannequin is standing still and everything's showing...imagine mid flight."
Nike defended the look, saying it had solicited input from Olympic athletes in designing its lineup of uniforms for both the men's and women's teams headed to Paris this summer. For the track and field kits, Nike Chief Innovation Officer John Hoke said in a statement that the company offers athletes "a range of silhouettes tailored for various sport disciplines, body types and sizes, prioritizing performance and maximum breathability."
Male and female track and field athletes have a dozen competition styles to chose from, Nike added, explaining that "athletes can choose outfits that match their style and personal preference without sacrificing comfort during the games in Paris." The company also said it will offer tailoring options.
USA Track and Field said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch that it has worked with Nike to ensure that competitors had uniform options.
"USATF is also aware that Nike consulted with athletes throughout the design process to ensure that all athletes are comfortable and that the uniforms are well-suited for their respective events," the organization said, adding that the unitard that has drawn fire is just one option athletes can choose from.
Nike also recently made waves for another uniform design. Its new Major League Baseball uniforms, which the company said is made from a "breathable, lightweight, high-performance fabric," are transparent enough that the jerseys' tags are visible when tucked into the pants' waistbands. And gray-colored uniforms, made from the same fabric, don't match the pants when they become soaked with sweat.
Nike told The Athletic it is testing different fabrics to remedy the issue, but it's unclear if updated outfits will be issued this season.
- In:
- Nike
Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News Streaming to discuss her reporting.
veryGood! (486)
Related
- Biden EPA to charge first-ever ‘methane fee’ for drilling waste by oil and gas companies
- The Top 12 Must-Have Lululemon Gifts for Father's Day 2024
- Shhh, These Gap Factory Mystery Deals Include Chic Summer Staples up to 70% Off
- Detroit Pistons to part ways with general manager Troy Weaver after four seasons
- South Carolina does not set a date for the next execution after requests for a holiday pause
- Parade for Israel in NYC focuses on solidarity this year as Gaza war casts a grim shadow
- Former General Hospital star Johnny Wactor shot and killed in downtown LA, family says
- Romance Writers of America falls into bankruptcy amid allegations of racism
- Bridgerton's Luke Newton Details His Physical Transformation for Season 3's Leading Role
- Horoscopes Today, May 31, 2024
Ranking
- Women’s baseball players could soon have a league of their own again
- Who is Alvin Bragg? District attorney who prosecuted Trump says he was just doing his job
- Texas Supreme Court rejects challenge brought by 20 women denied abortions, upholds ban
- The FDA is weighing whether to approve MDMA for PTSD. Here's what that could look like for patients.
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom will spend part of week in DC as he tries to Trump-proof state policies
- Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer rips reporter who called his team 'lifeless' in Game 5 loss
- From collapsed plea deal to trial: How Hunter Biden has come to face jurors on federal gun charges
- At least 50 deaths blamed on India heat wave in just a week as record temperatures scorch the country
Recommendation
-
Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn’s SKIMS Holiday Pajamas Are Selling Out Fast—Here’s What’s Still Available
-
Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes Prove They're the Ones to Beat at White House Celebration With Chiefs
-
Donald Trump’s attorney says he was shocked the former president took the verdict with ‘solemness’
-
Kansas Constitution does not include a right to vote, state Supreme Court majority says
-
‘Heretic’ and Hugh Grant debut with $11 million, but ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ tops box office again
-
Jennifer Garner Reacts as Daughter Violet Affleck's College Plans Are Seemingly Revealed
-
Caitlin Clark is one of the WNBA's best rebounding guards. Here's how it helps her score
-
Will Smith makes rare red-carpet outing with Jada Pinkett Smith, 3 children: See photos