Why do female gymnasts always look like that?

[LovelyBitOfHam]

I’m sure you know what I mean.

Hair tied back in a big scrunchie - the kind of scrunchie you last wore when you were 9 years old.

Glittery make up.

Plaits, braids and hair clips.

I understand a lot of sports have a uniform but ultimately, if you take a track and field athlete, a swimmer and a tennis player just before they perform, you wouldn’t really be able to tell which sport they play just by looking at them. But you can identify the gymnasts from a mile away.

It isn’t just at Olympic level either. Even the little girls in weekend gymnastic clubs have the same sort of style.

Is it some kind of male gaze thing? Or is there a “type” of girl who grows up wanting to be a gymnast? I’ve always associated gymnasts with the sort of girls who didn’t really grow up, but I’ve now realised just how wrong that is.

I think what they can do is incredible, and Simone Biles is great. But there’s something about the “look” of gymnastics that’s always bothered me, and I can’t put my finger on what it is. Anyone else?

@Cantrushart that actually makes a lot of sense regarding their hair.

I also agree with you now you mention it @MintTwirl @Clafoutie @Mumofteenandtween @WhiteLily1

Not this shit again

I didn't see any "9 year-old scrunchies" in the Olympics. Hair has to be kept back to not be in the way.

The RUGBY players had more bows and visible make up than the gymnasts. But the gymnasts have a "type"?

There was far more intense concentration than "sickly" smiles

I think I'd know someone was a swimmer. Because they'd be in a SWIMSUIT (and they are different styles for swimming and diving!)

I used to do gymnastics and the hair has definitely been a thing since the 90s at least. I used to use so much hairspray to keep it all stuck to my head.

I don't believe I ever wore makeup though tbh...and I did it until I was about 15. I wasn't the most feminine of gymnasts though. I just held other girls up mainly 😂

Who are you talking about here?

Because I have no idea who your reverence is for the sex doll / facelift points.

I always liked that side of gymnastics, I loved my blue velvet leotard and matching blue hair ribbon. I also loved all my ballet uniforms. There was very little glitter involved sadly.

Even now as an adult I prefer to do a dance or yoga class to other types of exercise, and like to do them in nice leggings with a pattern. If some of the female gymnasts want to compete in scrunchies and make up then why not if it it makes them feel more confident/they enjoy it.

I wouldn't say that their leotards are 'pandering to the male gaze' just because they are sparkly and show their legs. I think that's a bit of a weird view to jump to. The make up is colourful and fun, it's part of the performance and a way for them to express their individuality as athletes and performers. No aspects of their presentation come across to me as being for the benefit of men.

Wow. You’re rude.

.

Sha Carri Richardson seems to enjoy dressing up and being quite glamorous and flamboyant, and quite a few of the other sprinters also had long elaborate nails.

Several of the swimmers had long nails too

Noah Lyles was wearing an extremely sparkly diamond necklace. Again several of the other sprinters in the men’s were wearing jewellery

The equestrian woman all seemed to have their hair slicked back and looked very dressed up in their uniforms.

The synchro swimmers all have slicked back hair and make up

All the skateboarders had a particular look

Waterpolo players wear extremely tight swimsuits

Every sport has a uniform of some sort and also a popular’look’

Are people still saying 'Croydon facelift'? How embarrassing 😟.

Also not sure ‘the male gaze’ is generally known for enjoying rhinestones and sequins

I agree but I was trying to find a palatable way of saying a lot of the gymnasts seem to have a very “young” look. The ribbons and scrunchies in the hair, for example.

Are you an elite athlete, OP?

lol I was thinking that. The hair slicked back in a tight bun is just practicality (a ‘slick back’ is also a super fashionable TikTok thing atm as well!). There’s no ‘male’ gaze about any of the stuff the gymnasts are wearing. They’re dressing for themselves and other girls/women! A lot of them look so fabulous and like they’re having a lot of fun with their look.

It’s a young sport though isn’t it. Traditionally you were retired by early 20s.

so they are young girls.

Simone Biles is changing things but obviously most of them are still young

I was almost seasick watching the woman win the trampoline gold, she was amazing and I would assume that her appearance was determined by what she was doing rather than aesthetics.

We had no choice in the ‘look’ for competitions. Everyone had to wear the hair accessories, etc. that had been chosen for the team.

It's safe to say the outfits are for the male gaze, that's undeniable. Why do the men wear trousers essentially?! Look at volleyball too, I find it uncomfortable if I'm honest.
The Olympics are boring anyway

What about the men and their mini-speedos, do they get negative comments? I did feel sorry for the high jumper though!

That’s what I think, amazing sportswomen, also bringing some of themselves into the sport.

it’s not as clear cut as being the fastest runner or highest jumper. They get judged basically on their personality too, it helps to have a stage persona for this. Both to help being someone else and also so you can wash that judgement off at the end of the day

They want to keep their hair off their face and most people would prefer to hold their hair. Ack in a way that looks pretty and stylish than not 🫤. I don’t see the issue.

Im not sure about the makeup though. Maybe it’s because some parts of the sport are quite artistic?

Totally deniable! I would be wiling to bet that for the female competitors a medal is far more important than the MN obsession with 'the male gaze', whatever that's supposed to be. Why do posters on here like to reduce everything down to the lowest level? Got out there and compete!

I don't like sparkles but I do like scrunchies. I can do a forwards roll but not a backwards roll, it's probably correlated.

Can we identify whose makeup is so offensive, because there was a thread about this a few weeks ago and no one could ever name specifics.

What a fucking horrible thread. These women are amazing athletes and you're banging on about their hair and make up. Of course their hair is tightly secured. If it got in the way they could be seriously injured. Why should they have to cut it short if they can secure it back? I don't recall any sparkly make up this olympics. Sparkly leotards maybe, because there is an artistic element to the sport, same as a sport such as figure skating. Absolutely batshit that you suggest gymnastics attracts a certain type of girl that likes sparkles. It attracts girls that have strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, discipline. Training is brutal however let's just reduce them to sparkly, glittery little girls shall we. Pathetic