Nike Addresses Concerns Regarding 2024 Olympic Uniforms

Nike Faces Backlash Over Team USA Track and Field Uniforms Ahead of 2024 Olympics

As the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris draw near, Nike is under fire for the uniforms designed for Team USA’s Track and Field athletes. The controversy stems from allegations of sexism, with critics pointing out disparities between the men’s and women’s outfits.

Images of the uniforms reveal that the women’s kit includes a high-cut, one-piece uniform, while the men’s kit features longer spandex shorts and a full-coverage tank top. This discrepancy has sparked outrage among current and former athletes in the sport.

Former U.S. Champion runner Lauren Fleshman took to Instagram to express her disapproval, stating, “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.” Other athletes, including former U.S. Olympian Tara Davis-Woodhall and US Paralympian Jaleen Roberts, also voiced their concerns about the revealing nature of the uniforms.

In response to the criticism, Nike’s VP of apparel innovation, Janett Nichol, defended the design, explaining that the uniforms were created using advanced technology at the Nike Sports Research Lab to enhance the athletes’ performance. Nike clarified that female athletes were given the option to wear the unitard in a brief or short style, and that the full set includes a variety of pieces and styles tailored to different events.

Despite Nike’s explanation, the backlash continues, with many calling for a reevaluation of the uniforms to ensure equality and functionality for all athletes. Nike has yet to respond to requests for further comment on the matter.