Nike’s unveiling of the new Team USA track and field uniforms for the Paris Olympics this summer has ignited a firestorm of controversy. What was intended as an exciting preview has instead drawn criticism, particularly concerning the design of the women’s uniform. Social media platforms, especially Instagram, have become battlegrounds for opinions on the new athletic wear.
Professional runner Jessica Hanson’s comment, “Tell me it was male designers without telling me it was male designers,” resonated deeply, garnering over 11,000 likes and encapsulating the sentiment of many. Two-time Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku voiced concerns about modesty and practicality, questioning the absence of shorts and expressing discomfort with the revealing nature of the design, stating, “I’m someone’s mom, I can’t be exposing myself in such ways. Where are the shorts?!”
The showcased designs featured mannequins, with the male figure sporting a traditional tank top and shorts combination. In stark contrast, the female mannequin was presented in a one-piece outfit, described by many as resembling a bathing suit, with a perceived high cut around the pubic area. This visual disparity immediately fueled accusations of sexism and unequal treatment in design.
Image alt text: Front view of a female mannequin displaying the controversial Nike USA Olympic track uniform, a high-cut blue bodysuit, at the Paris 2024 Olympics reveal event.
However, Nike-sponsored professional runner Sinclair Johnson offered a different perspective, defending the brand and clarifying that she participated in uniform testing. She reassured critics that the mannequin display was misleading and did not accurately represent how the uniform fits on an actual athlete. “Lolol these comments have me 💀 but, Nike included a number of us in the kit testing process and I can assure you the bottoms don’t look like this on a real human,” Johnson commented on Instagram, attempting to quell the online uproar.
Nike responded to the backlash by emphasizing the showcased designs were merely a selection from a broader range of 50 styles and combinations. A Nike spokesperson clarified to NPR that female athletes would have numerous options, including variations with shorts. “We showcased some of the new Olympic uniforms at the Nike On Air experience in Paris — but, as we are a few months from the Games and working with limited samples in a limited format presentation, not all looks and styles were featured,” the spokesperson stated. Despite this clarification, the initial visual impact of the mannequin display solidified negative perceptions for many.
Image alt text: Full shot of a male mannequin presenting the Nike USA Olympic track uniform for men, featuring a navy tank top and matching shorts, at the Paris Olympics 2024 uniform presentation.
Lauren Fleshman, a retired professional track and field athlete, voiced a strong opinion on the matter, arguing that the design priorities were misplaced. “Women’s kits should be in service to performance, mentally and physically. If this outfit was truly beneficial to physical performance, men would wear it,” Fleshman wrote on Instagram. She further asserted that the controversial design was a product of outdated patriarchal views seeking to sexualize women’s sports rather than focusing on athletic achievement. “This is a costume born of patriarchal forces that are no longer welcome or needed to get eyes on women’s sports.”
Countering the wave of purely critical voices, Olympic gold medalist pole vaulter Katie Moon, also a Nike-sponsored athlete, offered a nuanced viewpoint. While acknowledging the criticism, she defended the availability of more revealing options. Moon highlighted personal preference and performance needs, stating, “I personally like the buns because I want as little fabric clinging to me when I’m hot and sweaty (which I am at 99% of meets I compete in). The point is we DO have the choice of what to wear, and whether we feel the best in a potato sack or a bathing suit during competitions, we should support the autonomy,” she posted on Instagram. Moon’s comments underscored the importance of athlete choice and diverse preferences within the team. The unveiling of the Usa Olympic Track Uniform has therefore opened a significant discussion about design, performance, and representation in women’s sports.
