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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

214 replies

Corksoles · 02/08/2024 19:34

I've just watched several athletes with tan lines that suggest their usual and thus presumably preferred leg wear is short length. Why isn't that the uniform style for the Olympics? (Although shout out to Ethiopia - nice shorts!)

I can see the track athletes' (and could see the gymnasts') arse cheeks. I don't get it. It makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, not least as presumably a fair chunk will be on their periods. And if I was a rather brilliant 17 year old, on this huge global stage, I think I'd rather wear what I was used to.

Haven't seen one bloke's arse cheek.

YABU - let's see women's arses. Must be for sport and not because these decisions are taken by old men.

YANBU - more functional shorts.

OP posts:
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edwinbear · 02/08/2024 20:22

I have a DD who competes in athletics and used to feel the same, but speaking to the older girls (DD is only 12), some of them actually prefer running briefs. They do have the choice of shorts, but lots of them just find them more comfortable. As long as they have a choice, I guess it’s up to them really.

iamtheblcksheep · 02/08/2024 20:19

I mean I don’t really want to see Andy Murray’s hairy arse cheek so I don’t go with the why are men not in pants chain if thought. Im not really offended by the leotards or track athletes pants. I think most of the track athletes prefer the short pants.

Abitboring · 02/08/2024 20:18

Maybe there are choices. Doesn't mean that each choice gives you the same chances or a teenager feels they actually have a choice. Especially in sports like diving or gymnastics with human decision makers.

OlympicsFanGirl · 02/08/2024 20:15

I thought these days there were choices in what they can wear.

Could be wrong.

Abitboring · 02/08/2024 20:15

Oh god, sorry OP. This thread was a bad idea according to some. Interesting that people can wear what they want (nobody said they couldn't?) but apparently you can't share any opinion you have or you are going to be put in place and be accused of policing women's bodies.

OlympicsFanGirl · 02/08/2024 20:15

@Ponkpinkpink15

Could you not have contributed to one of the other 999 threads about this? Did you really need to start another one??

I haven't seen any other threads on this.

Thanks for the thread policing though. 🙏🤣

AGoingConcern · 02/08/2024 20:10

As long as athletes are given options for more coverage then everyone else needs to stop policing women's bodies.

They are under no obligation to look a certain way for us. Every sport and every athlete is different when it comes to the pros and cons of various attire, and an outfit that is considered reasonably modest in the UK will be seen as absolutely obscene in some countries competing and utterly prudish in others. So athletes should dress their own bodies based on what works for them in their sport, not what appeals to Susan sitting on her sofa in Surrey.

lightsandtunnels · 02/08/2024 19:54

I assume it's for performance reasons, streamlining etc. Hundredths of seconds and mm count in running, jumping etc so any tiny adjustment can be the difference between winning/losing or achieving a world record or whatever.

ClonedSquare · 02/08/2024 19:54

Why would you assume any of them are on their periods?

If Jane Bloggs can use the pill to delay her period while she goes on holiday (or never have any at all), I'm sure the vast majority of the athletes at the Olympics are doing the same.

Justawaterformeplease · 02/08/2024 19:48

If they have tan lines presumably that indicates what they wear in normal life? Eyebrows might be raised if someone rocked up at the local park in a spangly leotard.

Haroldwilson · 02/08/2024 19:47

A lot of athletes train so hard their periods stop - the body basically says this regime isn't compatible with pregnancy.

But I agree. The volleyball ones are actual thongs, sandy anus can't help athletic performance!

Original poster
Corksoles · 02/08/2024 19:45

I searched for olympics and all I've found is a thread about the US costumes.

It's really striking now watching the track athletes and their tan lines! It's a fairly strong indication of what they usually wear, so I'm a bit puzzled about this argument that they have other options. Or at least why they divert from their normal clothes for this huge audience if they do have a choice?

OP posts:
Ponkpinkpink15 · 02/08/2024 19:42

Could you not have contributed to one of the other 999 threads about this? Did you really need to start another one??

short reply, there are options on most of the kits. The gymnasts could all have worn unitards if that was their choice. Many of them are wearing skin coloured gymnastic leggings/tights.

same with the swim wear, running, etc etc

im not sure on the volleyball this time around.

Abitboring · 02/08/2024 19:37

I wonder the same. I wonder what if they are on periods and whether they even get them. But it doesn't matter. I don't get why it has to be so revealing. I watched the diving the other day and same thing. Plenty of arse cheeks of minors. Could they not wear the swimsuits the swimmers wear that cover everything?