Tara Davis-Woodhall couldn’t believe her eyes before she posted the comment on Instagram that could be heard around the world.
The American long jumper and world silver medalist had just seen a photo of Nike’s Team USA uniform for this summer’s Olympics, a high-cut bodysuit that barely covers her bikini line and was unveiled at a launch event in Paris last week. Running magazine Citius Mag published an image of a female model wearing a tight-fitting uniform, alongside an image of a male jumpsuit with longer legs.
As the side-by-side comparison sparked outrage online about sexism in elite sport, Davies-Woodhall couldn’t help but join the fray.
“Wait, my hoo-ha’s gonna go out,” she commented, joining a chorus of jocks denouncing the company’s apparent decision to prioritize simplicity over functionality. In this regard, Nike said that female athletes participating in the Olympics will not be limited to high-cut tights. The new series provides nearly 50 styles to choose from, including shorts.
Davis-Woodhall, who spoke at the Team USA media summit in downtown Manhattan on Tuesday, was one of several U.S. Olympians who blamed the backlash on the photo.
“This photo doesn’t do it justice,” the Texan said. “I saw a [of the uniforms] today. They are beautiful. They don’t look like the photos. The cut does look a little different on the model. They should find someone to look at again before choosing which photos to post.”
Atlanta-born sprinter Gabby Thomas, who won 200m bronze and 4x100m silver in Tokyo, was “shocked at first like everyone else” after seeing the uniform on a model that went viral .
But Thomas said she felt more comfortable after seeing American pole vaulter Katie Moon’s impassioned defense on social media, saying criticism would ultimately attack athletes who might decide to wear it. “The point is that we do have a choice about what we wear, and whether we feel best in a potato sack or a bathing suit during competition, we should support autonomy,” wrote Moon, who is sponsored by Nike.
“I love competing,” Thomas said Tuesday. “I guess I like wearing as little clothing as possible because you’re sweating and you’re really active and moving, so I like that we can choose to wear something like that, but we can also choose to wear whatever uniform we want. . We can wear men’s clothing if we really want to, so I’m okay with what they put out there, but I don’t think anyone has anything to worry about.
Nike released a statement quoting executive John Hoke as saying the company “works directly with athletes at every stage of the design process,” a statement Thomas confirmed.
“I remember they had a little area where athletes could try things on, check them out and give feedback,” Thomas said. “Athletes were definitely consulted during the creation of the uniforms. That’s why I think everyone was a little shocked when they saw this picture because the athletes wouldn’t agree with the way it looked, but it doesn’t look like that. of.
Fiona O’Keeffe, who broke the U.S. women’s marathon trials record in her first Olympics appearance in February, booked a flight to Paris. Don’t worry about these uniforms.
“I believe the team handling for the marathon will also be done at the U.S. Trials because we are considered part of track and field,” she said Tuesday. “I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m sure there are enough options out there that there will be something effective.”
Davis-Woodward agrees: “All women’s bodies are different,” she says. “I would say the same thing to men. Let us make uniforms for the people [who are wearing them]not for the views.
