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'Is that the best you can do?' Nike Olympic uniforms cause big stir online

Nike’s new 2024 Paris Olympic track and field uniforms were said to be designed with athletes in mind, but the internet isn’t buying it.

It all started when Citius Magazine, a running publication, posted a first look at the Nike kits that the U.S. track and field team will wear this summer.

Athing Mu, a track and field runner on Team USA sports a look from Nike's new national kit.
Athing Mu, a track and field runner on Team USA sports a look from Nike's new national kit.

Thousands of people and some athletes flooded the comment section of the post, criticizing the design of the women’s uniform pictured, which is a blue and red striped leotard that says “USA.” Those lambasting the look say it's just far too skimpy.

Athletes like Olympic pole vaulter Katie Moon and former U.S. track and field athlete Lauren Fleshman have weighed in on the matter since the post went viral.

“Take the old USA kit, and make it ✨less✨” Philly Bowden, a professional runner wrote in the comments.

Here’s what to know about the recent controversy, including what Nike has to say.

What does Nike have to say about all this?

Tatyana McFadden, a paralympic athlete on Team USA wears the leotard that has elicited controversy hours after Nike unveiled the line on Thursday, April 11.
Tatyana McFadden, a paralympic athlete on Team USA wears the leotard that has elicited controversy hours after Nike unveiled the line on Thursday, April 11.

Nike has deferred the inquiry about the recent wave of online criticism, pointing to an article written about the uniforms as their official stance on the issue.

The company writes that the uniforms are “the most athlete-informed, data-driven and visually unified the company has ever produced.” Each kit was inspired by the “distinct identities and diverse communities each country and sport represent.”

Nike’s goal from the start was to give each athlete a voice, creating uniforms that “met athletes’ desires for choice, comfort and performance.” A goal they say the met across every sport they designed uniforms for, including track and field.

“Nike designed the Paris 2024 track and field kits to offer athletes a range of silhouettes tailored for various sport disciplines, body types and sizes, prioritizing performance and maximum breathability,” according to John Hoke, chief innovation officer, who is quoted in the article.

There are close to 50 unique track and field uniform options, including the newly viral leotard, for both men and women.  Athletes will also get the chance to choose which outfit or combination of outfits match their style and personal preference best, Nike wrote.

“I’ve had the opportunity to share feedback and insights that helped inform the new USATF Kit,” Anna Cockrell, a track and field athlete, said in a news release. “During testing, this fit allowed me to move freely and without distraction, and I love how the look represents Team USA.”

Athletes go off in the comments, saying that Olympic uniform was 'born of patriarchal forces’

Queen Harrison Claye was among many athletes cracking jokes in the comments, writing “Hi @europeanwax would you like to sponsor Team USA for the upcoming Olympic Games!? Please and thanks."

Others expressed similar sentiments, with Jaleen Roberts, writing: “This mannequin is standing still and everything’s showing… imagine MID FLIGHT.”

Nike’s Instagram page has been inundated with comments over the last few days.

“Shame, shame, shame Nike in treating women as second class citizens with their Olympic outfits. Is that the best you can do for the ladies,” Angello Malefakis wrote.

Fleshman, a former track and field athlete, reposted the image on her page, writing: “I’m sorry, but show me one WNBA or NWSL team who would enthusiastically support this kit. This is for Olympic Track and Field.”

“Women’s kits should be in service to performance, mentally and physically,” Fleshman said. "If this outfit was truly beneficial to physical performance, men would wear it. This is not an elite athletic kit for track and field. This is a costume born of patriarchal forces that are no longer welcome or needed to get eyes on women’s sports."

Other athletes defend the look

Olympic pole vaulter Katie Moon is pictured on Feb 17, 2024 in Albuquerque, N.M.
Olympic pole vaulter Katie Moon is pictured on Feb 17, 2024 in Albuquerque, N.M.

Sinclaire Johnson, another runner, had a different take.

“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.”

Moon shared the same view, writing that “I absolutely love people defending women, but we have at least 20 different combinations of a uniform to compete in with all the tops and bottoms available to us. We DO have the men’s option available to us if we want it.”

Moon also said that she doesn't mind wearing less fabric and having more skin exposed.

“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)," she said. "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.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nike's 2024 Olympic uniforms for Team USA stir online frenzy