To think that female athletes could be in shorts rather than arse-cheek-revealing pants?

This would be at least in part because they don't wear performance sport wear when they aren't training.

And they will often train indoors.

So they won't tan as much in areas that are covered more often.

Instead of frothing about something which doesn't concern you how about you speak to some athletes and ask what they think?

We've already had a lengthy thread about gymnastic costumes, and people actually involved in gymnastics still weren't enough to convince the busybodies that they were wrong in their assumptions.

This policing of what others wear is beyond boring.

@Xiaoxiong but she also says that as a young athlete that she wore the cropped top and shorts even though she found it hugely uncomfortable because it is what everyone worn.

Worth saying that Sha'Carri does not wear running knickers much at all. She'll wear a speed suit with cycling shorts under and this morning wore an all in one with longer bottoms.

The smaller kit isn't about performance- tight fitting possibly (although Colin Jackson broke the world record in baggy shorts). It's about fashion and sponsorship. Of course fine if that's what you want to wear but athletes shouldn't have to battle like Holly did to get a kit they feel happy in.

Women can wear skirts to their ankles, or shorts in tennis if that's what they want.

This has been the case since at least the 1980s.

The difference with Jessica E-H and Holly Bradshaw is that according to the article, "In pole vaulting, there is no sporting advantage for athletes who choose to wear crop top and knickers or tight shorts over a more modest outfit." So if you're not sacrificing performance, then yes it's outrageous to be forced to wear something you're not happy wearing.

@MysticalLibrarian If you lived your life trying to avoid all the things that some men (and women) get off on, then you wouldn't get out much.

@NerrSnerr I've just watched the video you posted with Jessica Ennis-Hill and she seems to be saying exactly the opposite - that you have to wear this kit, it's the requirement of the sport to perform at that level but the female athletes should be judged on their achievements instead of on what they're wearing. The video finishes with her saying that it's the judgemental comments that people make about women's bodies and women's kit that they don't make about the men's - that it's too tight, too short, etc - that are the problem.

I thought it noticeable that many of the women had tan lines suggesting they didn't normally through choice wear things so short

@NerrSnerr perhaps she should have

Let’s be honest, this is because of men, right? I mean the only reason I feel at all uncomfortable is because there are men out there watching specifically to get off on this. There are websites devoted to shots of them. But then I think about the girls in track & field preferring briefs to run in because they’re more comfortable, and I think, well why should they have to adjust what they want to wear because some men are pigs?

@user1471538275 Jessica Ennis Hill couldn't change it at the time- she only spoke out after retiring so she didn't speak up and challenge as an athlete.

Even for tennis, I don't understand why the women are in very short skirts! The men's shorts are longer! If women are given the option of longer skirts/dresses - fair enough, but it just seems like another way to use women as s*x symbols

That really is not the definition of object.

Most of the boxers won't get a period

Could you not have scrolled on by when you read the title. But for some reason you were compelled enough to comment on a thread you don’t think needs to be started.

It is strange that people on MN click on a thread knowing what the content is just to say that don’t like the idea of another thread on the same topic.

@NerrSnerr

Their views were not ignored.

They found ways of managing their situations through speaking up and challenging it.

It's happened in many sports, allowing women and men increased choices in what they wear - like Unitards in Gymnastics.

If the athletes want change, they can change things.

But change because someone watching them on telly doesn't like what they're wearing -no way!

Given the obsessive focus on performance that you need to have to get to the Olympics, and that national bodies pour into these sports to research performance, I assume they are wearing these costumes because it helps them get some kind of edge. I remember when they banned the full-body swimsuits because it gave an unfair advantage, so I assume the opposite is also true for things like athletics - they're wearing racing briefs because they run faster than if they ran in shorts.

And I don't think they have a choice, unless they don't want to race at those elite levels. It'll be: wear the thing that gives the best performance, so if you prefer shorts, you're probably going to get beaten.

'It makes me feel uncomfortable'

Look, if you're trying to squeeze into some of those athletics shorts or swimming outfits I can understand the discomfort - maybe take them off whilst you're watching the telly.

I have posted two links about two athletes who were not happy with kit provided. Guessing their views should be ignored too?

For performance reasons obviously. It's really not hard to understand

It makes me feel a bit uncomfortable
too bad, so YABU

Now, women should be able to decide if they want to compete wearing shorts or "pants", whatever is more comfortable and they feel more efficient for their sport.
It should be about what they want, and what they want only. The sensibility of some randoms doesn't come into it.

Willmafrockfit · Today 20:40
MrsSkylerWhite · Today 20:37
Presumably they have a choice?

but do they really?

guessing yes? If they say to their team coaches that I don’t want to wear knickers or a leotard but rather shorts because that is what I feel comfortable competing in, the coaches, under more scrutiny than they’ve ever been, would say ok,

I was a long jumper many (many 🤣) moons ago. I wore standard issue navy knickers. Wasn’t a problem.

Would you have a problem with that?

Women as objects is opposite to women as athletes.

Objects are static unmoving, to be looked at.

Athletes are moving, admired for their physical achievements not how they look in their outfits.

I believe 'athletes' is encompassing a wide range of sportspeople.

I would call rowers athletes or gymnasts - in that sport is an athletic pursuit

athletic
physically strong, fit, and active.

Err, the OP is about athletics...