Why do women athletes compete in clothing so skimpy it could be underwear?

It doesn't make me "profoundly uncomfortable" but I do think it is one more small example of the way society perceives men and women. And it's a pity.

Edith, the long socks are compression items, which give a tight hold on the calf muscles and are most useful to runners who suffer from a tendency to stiff or strained calves. Compression is supposed to enhance lessen vibration through the muscle and therefore reduce fatigue. The now-banned compression swimsuits that were used in the last Olympics worked on a similar principle.

As to why not everyone uses them - it's down to preference, comfort, and your personal tendency to suffer from calf problems. They do look like schoolkids socks though!

I like the tiny-shorts-long-socks look! It makes me think of Pippi Longstocking.

The only thing that I find weird is the current trend for long socks. That doesn't seem to fit the "less is more" approach outlined above. And in conjunction with running knickers it does look like fetish gear.

Are there any performance advantages to long socks? If so, why don't both sexes wear them in similar proportions? (I've only noticed one or two men doing so).

I am a bit troubled by the women wearing skimpier clothes than the men.

However, in one race I watched recently, while they mostly had 'knickers' on one or two women were wearing shorts ? still quite short, but loose, like boys' sports shorts.

That made me feel a bit better because presumably it means the tiny knickers aren't a required uniform but are something that most of the women choose to wear.

I always wonder though; presumably they all wax/laser their pubic hair? Surely otherwise they wouldn't be able to relax thinking of those close-ups when they hurdle/go over the high jump etc.

And in fact my views are a bit different to 2 years ago. Interesting to read it back.

Huh?

Just started reading it and realised I contributed a lot the first time around! People usually flag zombie threads on here.

Yes scouserabroad ancient Greek did compete naked, and there's a lot of paintings (murals/pottery type stuff) from that time to illustrate. Probably not a good idea when doing high jump though. Just thinking... Dangly bits knocking the bar off....

If I had abs like those girls, I'd be showing them off.

These days, I'm built more like the shot putters.

Eh? Where's the PA, SGM?

Old old thread folks

Because it feels empowering!

It's the exact opposite of the long dresses and corsets of the past and the hijab etc of today.

It says "Look at me and Look at what I can DO!"

Actually I don't agree there. The men play beach volleyball in shirts and baggy shorts, so plenty left to imagine, if you're so minded. Likewise with the runners, though their shorts are shorter. For diving and swimming, everyone wears snug-fitting costumes but there the mens' are smaller--for social rather than athletic reasons, I assume!

They wear clothing which is effective for their sport.

Men's clothing doesn't leave much to the imagination either! But baggy swim shorts would probably hinder divers' performances so that's why.

"shorts and shirts". Damn adjacent keys.

"If wearing less clothing means that you are going to increase your chances of winning..."

Surely that's a concept that would apply to the men too? But no, apparently it doesn't.

Back in the spring there were questions asked about the bikinis that the volleyball players wear, and whoever makes the rules said that they could wear shorts and shorts if they preferred. I'm not aware that any of them have, but then you might say that they did their training in the bikinis and they don't want to throw themselves off their best form by playing in unfamiliar clothes. But once again, the men seem to do their best in a lot more clothing than the women. Funny how athletic performance coincides with social customs.

Yes it makes me uncomfortable too. Some of the athletes (like the high jump) are exposing themselves in an almost gynaelogical way. Same with the very high leg swimming and gymnastics costumes. That must be uncomfortable. As a very long term feminist this body exposure seems to me to be all over everywhere (not just sport). It's as if young women don't have enough self respect and pride in their achievements to keep themselves covered up. I read something once which is quite true. It was about art and treating women as meat but it applies to sport. Imagine a man wearing the same outfits (or in the case of art, the poses) and how we'd feel about that. If it doesn't feel right it isn't. They simply seem to be saying the way my body looks is more important that what my body can do. Cover up please. Have some self respect. Would any man display himself in this way? Just think about what men are thinking about you (and it's all about sex and often not in the nicest way-that's how men are).

I think it's important to keep the "equipment" away from the front of the saddle, as the bits can go rather numb, apparently. There is a medical condition that male cyclists get related to the limitation of blood supply, but I forget what it's called!!!

Oops sorry

My PC hasn't died yet hope everyone else is OK. I;m on kaspersky and all up to date.

Maybe norton objected to the picture

Funny isn't it, how we all perceive different things.

I reserve my ire for when tittilation of males is the be all and end all, and women doing athletics gmnastics swimming etc, albeit in skimpy clobber, don't really set off my radar.

If the female athetes did a calendar in their running gear, replete with "come hither" poses, then I'd do my nut

I do agree with that FakePlasticTrees but all the other women in that race apart from the 2 athletes running for turkey were wearing knickers and crop tops. One of the Portugese athletes who led for much of the race had the briefest knickers on I have possibly ever seen in athletics....she still got out run at the end.

The majority of the athletes involved in the championships are not sprinters, though the vast majority choose to wear outfits which are barely there.

I'm not suggesting women should run in shorts and t-shirts but I do question the need for such brief knickers.

And with the passing years, outfits are getting more brief IMO, I wonder where we will be in 20 years time