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

'And what about all the doping and so on? How many of these women are really there purely because of hard work?'

I can tell you that all these girls and women work really, really hard. They train and train and train, giving up lots of things that other young women take for granted. Like going out. And will have done since they were girls. They are scared stiff of drugs because they know that would mean the end of everything.

They wear the crop tops and shorts because they are cool and comfortable.

When I look at them I don't see it as skimpy clothing, more like a second skin. Their bodies are like machines, really efficient and beautiful, I imagine (and this is a guess) that these women give much less of a monkeys about showing flesh/what people think as their bodies aren't used for display, they are used for working bloody hard and winning. And I imagine that many of them have a different relationship with their bodies to many of us.

That's what I think anyway.

Tennis players are a different story...

My guess is the men don't wear tiny bottoms as they need some support for their testicles.

Women, being less encumbered in that regard, can afford to run around in skimpies.

well I can see I have aminority view on it and may be weird but I don't see how choosing the skimpier version with an eye to getting a lucrative advertising deal makes you a better role model than a half-starved model or a celebrity with silicon breasts.

And what about all the doping and so on? How many of these women are really there purely because of hard work?

The high jumpers looked amazing though. They look fit and healthy and I dont think theres anything wrong with that - they couldnt wear clothes that flapped about doing high jump anyway.

A lot of them want lucrative endoresment deals as well - so its an image they are selling - and there is choice with the outfits - they can choose the less skimpy if they are so inclined as a look at some the runners will testify.

"So can we agree these are women 'doing it for themselves' rahter than for others gratification?"

I don't think they are wearing those outfits by choice and also not to gratify men but they have been handed their country's team outfit to wear, so they have to get on with it. Someone else designed and chose them, not the athletes themselves. I could imagine a lot of them are unhappy at having to do sport and be that highly visible whilst dressed like that. I don't think it looks at all good and no, I don't think it makes them a good role model for girls. Not in some way really a bad role model but I don't see how that makes them a positive role model.

I was running in the 80s and used to wear a crop top then and it was purely fro comfort as I was definitely not the type to 'flaunt' myself.

Tis far better to see a healthy ultra fit body, competing in athletics events and bringing home medals after hours and weeks and months of training - than a plastic body with hugh enhancments sticking out where breast should be singing badly and getting photographed to make money for doing nothing to be proud of

So can we agree these are women 'doing it for themselves' rahter than for others gratification?
I think thay look amazing ad congratulate them on their medals.

It is probably to do with the weight of the clothing as well. I am not a runner but a rower and I know the international rowers minimise the amount of weight that they carry in the boat to the extent that they empty water bottles (even chuck them on the side) no extra clothing in the boat; no extra fat on the body etc etc! And they have to propel a boat which is significantly more weight than any of that. So I would imagine runners would be of the same mindset and less clothes would proportionally make more difference to their speed. Not sure why men just don't run in shorts though??

I was just thinking about the era of "lunchboxes". Was not good

I did a 10k a few years ago and wore short baggy shorts. My thighs were bleeding at the end from all the chafing!!!

It's bloody hot and exercise only makes you hotter so it makes perfect sense to me that they are going to wear as little clothes as possible, no? You'll see that the male sprinters wear completely skin tight stuff too, who can forget the famous "lunchbox"?!

I don't think Zoo magazine has begun to influence our professional athletes just yet...!

if i had legs like that i'd walk around in my pants a lot more often.

I thought they looked great. Healthy, amazing, some really stunning. The outfits didn't bother me. I suppose as I didn't think 'skimpy', more- athletic.

Wear them >.>

Women can wear shorts if they want, you will notice that some where them some don't i guess it's more comfortable wearing them. Why do men not wear them well they in their minds would be a laughing stock.

I would much rather see super fit positive female role models sprinting round a track in a top and short pants than fat girls in bikinis walking through town!!!

These athletes spend years and years training every day. I really think that what they wear to run in is of small importance to them.
If it is comfortable and helps you to go faster then thats what matters.

notnowbernard

Hey, don't knock these women! Physically they are far better role models for young women than skinny super models or surgically enhanced glamour girls.

I used to run competively (a long time ago lol) and the less you have flapping about to get in your way the better.

I don't think they can choose their own clothes, they are competing in the team uniform, that's why it is all the same.

Mind you shotput, hammer, discus - the women wear more

I used to run and I used to find it more comfortable not having any material flapping around my midriff.
I used to wear a crop vets and pants and i di have a flat tummy too.
It is really for comfort as far as i am concerend.
And they llok great and good role models too.