German gymnasts competing at the Tokyo Olympics have decided to wear full costumes during qualifying competitions this Sunday. The goal is to provide freedom of choice and encourage athletes to wear what they feel comfortable wearing.
Team consisting of Sarah Voss, Polina Pauline Schaefer-Betz, Elisabeth Seitz and Kim Bui competed in red and white “uniforms,” which is a gymnastics leotard and ankle-length leggings.
The Germans wore full suits during training on Thursday and have already said they should wear the same outfit again in competition.
“We want everyone to feel comfortable and show everyone that they can wear whatever they want, look amazing, feel amazing, whether it’s a full suit or a short one,” said gymnast Sarah Voss.
German athletes already wore full suits at the European Championships in April in a move against the sexualization of sport. The initiative was widely praised.
Sarah Voss said the team is keen to see the trend take off and is happy to be seen as a role model.
Gymnastics is a sport that has been the subject of a number of controversies in recent years, including several cases of physical and sexual abuse, leading to the creation of new protocols designed to protect athletes who typically begin playing the sport at a very young age.
For women, the competition uniform usually consists of a swimsuit with short or long sleeves. Full costumes are permitted in international competitions, but are generally used only for religious reasons.
Author: Reuters
Source: CM Jornal
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