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

[Corksoles]

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.

I think some of it is about looks and feeling attractive or at least not feeling unattractive, even though there is a large amount of practicality in what is worn as well. Sportswear doesn’t exist in complete isolation from fashion or society’s notions about what looks good. Putting men in women’s kits or women in men’s kits would, to most people not look as attractive. Athletes want to feel good about themselves so they perform well. Do you feel as good when you are dressed in something that makes you look shit?

I do recall hoiking up kit in the same way teens at school shorten their skirts by rolling it up at the waist.

I hear Iran is nice this time of the year, OP.

They love policing what women wear as well.

but do the female divers have a choice? @AGoingConcern

My dd is an elite gymnast. She trains in a leotard and shorts.
She competes in a leotard a size smaller than she trains in and no shorts. She likes a tight fit for comps but likes to be comfy in training.
What she was astounded was the length of nails and wearing jewellery. Her coaches would have a fit because she could injure herself.

I can say with some confidence there is a significant gulf between where Iran would draw the line and arse cheeks hanging out.

Female athletes can choose what they want to wear. Like in the gymnastics they can wear a full body leotard.

This is just like saying young women can wear knee length skirts when out on a weekend but they are wearing just cover yer bum skirts. You don't get to police what others wear, especially if it is a choice by them and in athletics it is

But surely that would apply to men too?

Errr, did you watch the diving?

At a previous Olympics Holly Bradshaw had a massive battle as there was not a kit she felt comfortable in (this was the Nike Olympic kit- not the current Adidas one). It was cropped top, speed suit (like a leotard), vest and knicker shorts or baggy distance shorts that would be too flappy for PV. She had to wear a rowing kit instead but she had to really argue the case.

Interestingly the reason she chooses to cover up is due to bad press when she first went pro for not looking thin enough.

You see why many teenage girls choose to give sport up as many are not as articulate or confident as Holly

Aah please stop! I have no desire to see todgers hanging out.

It’s all very well to wax lyrical about womens’ rights to dress how they want but what about the right of viewers not to have to gaze on their bum.

news.sky.com/story/amp/holly-bradshaw-skimpy-kit-is-discouraging-women-from-competing-olympic-bronze-medallist-says-12439544

There is a lot on display in both male and female athletic and swimwear.

I believe it's related to performance mostly. Some have choices.

I strongly believe that we should be permitted to wear whatever we like, unless against the law, and that others need to keep their opinions about what we're wearing to themselves. In turn we will keep our own opinions about what they are wearing to ourselves.

If you don't like it, don't look. Your neck rotates.

I've seen several videos on Instagram of athletes showing off their kit, they all seem to have 2-3 kit options including shorts so I just assume they have chosen their preferred kit for the actual events.

Yes but the olympics is public entertainment.

They depend on public interest to have a career.

www.skysports.com/more-sports/athletics/video/30998/12920298/jessica-ennis-hill

Also Jessica Ennis Hill talking about feeling self conscious in her kit and issues/ worries about periods.

Weird that there wasn’t this judgement about Tom’s speedos. Your views perpetuate the idea as women as objects. View them as incredible athletes. How uptight you are.

I’m judging tom’s speedos.

And it’s the woman as object issue that people are not liking. If they are incredible athletes they should not need to resort to flashing their arse.

@Calliopespa I wasn’t advocating for it!😂

I don’t think these standards only apply to women. The French diver that is packing seems to get a lot of attention in his tiny speedos. I watched the male swimming and diving today and I did wonder about body hair. None of them had any.

They're not flashing their arse.

Their arse is there whether it is covered in lycra or not.

Likewise sprinters todgers are there, covered in lycra or not.

If you really have a problem with viewing parts of the human body, watching sport might not be for you.

Don't worry, there are plenty of other people who don't mind to keep the athletes going.

@LaLaLoca I have actually wondered about the mens Speedos in the diving where you can see the outline etc. I'd be really interested to know why that is. It's not about speed there or who comes first but who does the best dive. The woman's swimming suits a very high cut at the front and the back whereas the men's are just tight and well....short.

I know you weren’t!

And tbh I find it even worse when men have it all self-evident.

Many women - including me - find it humiliating and demeaning to see other women half-naked and on show in this way, in little panties like underwear. All the uniforms should be the direct equivalent male-female options.

Just think some time ago flashing your ankle was shocking.

People fainted and everything.

Us modern ladies are made of sterner stuff.

The principle is the same, policing what women wear.