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

[FortiesCromarty]

This occurred to me whilst watching some of the athletics on TV, the women are in small pants and crop tops, yet the men wear vests and shorts, their bodies totally covered.
It can't be a question of that's what clothing gives the fastest time, else the men would be running about in their skimpies.
My DH says he thinks it's fashion, the women have chosen to wear these clothes as they are proud of their bodies and want to fit in with the other female athletes. Yet I do not agree and feel profoundly uncomfortable at the sight of adult women competing in an international event as if they'd forgotten their PE kit and their coaches had made them do the race in their bra and knickers.
What do you feel about it?

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.

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

I agree that the women are great role models, it was the contrast between the men's and womens clothing struck me.
Having checked the hall of fame here, it seems the pants have been around for a long while, but the crop tops are more recent.

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.

"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.

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.

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?

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.

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...

'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.

I'd say there was a fair element of display amongst some of the women (I mean the recent euorpean light athletics which I saw), make-up, jewellery, long black fingernails etc. Obviously they can express themselves however they like, but to say there is no element of display in it doesn't fit with my own recollections of what I saw.

I think the would have a huge say in what they wear. Performance and comfort a priority.

Also they probably aren't thinking about perceived skimpiness, that's a good thing. Agree with ISNT.

Just for efficiency, and they want to look good doing what ever it is they are doing. Also differs between the different sports look at swimming for example the men wear hardly anything in comparison to the women.

I don't have a problem with the crop tops, it's the running in "knickers" that I don't get. They just look so uncomfortable and then there's the distraction of them riding up your bum! I wear lycra shorts, what's wrong with them.

You have too much time on your hands if this is an issue for you. Why can't they wear their skimpy oufits? They are grown women who are capable of making a decision without having to justify it in the name of some sisterhood claptrap.

When the Olympics started in ancient Greece didn't the athletes compete in the buff?

Gosh it would never occur to me that they are dressing for any other reasion than their sporting comfort and performance. Everything about their bodies speaks of power and achievement and dedication rather than a concern to fit sexist expectations of the female body.

Mariepuree: "You have too much time on your hands if this is an issue for you"

what an incredibly helpful post. Such an interesting contribution.

There is a range of gear that every athlete has access to in their team colours they can choose any of those items.

OP it seems to me you are looking to take offence/ for an objection on feminist grounds where there is none to be taken. The sponsorship that was referred to earlier is not millions and millions like Beckham and Rooney get for endorsing their footy boots, it's £50k here and £25k there which is purely for trainig purposes, including paying their coach. The prize money that most athletes get is pitiful when compared to most sports, which is why many international athletes also have a "civvy" job too.

As for not being a positive role model. WTH?!?! Commitment, drive, ambition, healthy eating, clean living. What's not to like?! And don't go throwing about spurious drug claims. Sport as a whole has never been better, athletes know that testing is state of the art now, there was never wholesale doping of a British team like the Russians and the E Germans used to do, and the vast majority of athletes are good, honest competitors who want to win by virtue of the hard work of their own bodies - beautifully sculpted, healthy bodies. So what if someone's got false nails or make up on!! By your attitude, if someone's an athlete, they're not supposed to give a toss how they look?!?! As they are effectively working, that means none of us should give a toss to how WE look when we go to work?!?!

I don't care if they wear make-up or false nails etc, I am just saying there îs an element of display in taht

in contrast to an earlier post which said there is no element of display in the whole thing.

And both the male and female athletes make up most of their money through endorsements if they have the looks and personality - look at that Danish javelin champion - at least I think he was Danish.

I really dont mind my dd seeing the athletes dressed like that at all - they have worked damn hard for those bodies and not bought them through surgery etc.

And they do choose what they wear - if you look at the marathon runners there is a really wide variety of clothing - its what they themselves feel comfy in. I would require some sort of two wheeled vehicle to feel comfy during a marathon but each to their own.

I do think these are one set of women who we can discount as bad role models though as they really arent are they? Jessica Ennis for example is truly inspirational.

why spurious drug claims. Doping charges come up all the time

right, I saw this thread yesterday and asked my SIL to be (who is ex-team GB - yes I am rather intimidated by her abs!)

She said that there are longer vest options, but they tend to not be as supportive, and boobs need control! Apparently minimum clothing is a good thing as it doesn't get in the way/can make a difference with airflow round you. She pointed out that male sprinters tend to be in outfits that leave very little to the imagination for similar reasons, and longer distance/endurance sports woman tend to be more covered up as it's not as important (not counting triathalon as they have to wear something they can swim in without having to get changed before the other events)

oh, and she said you have to remember to get to that level you've had a coach/physio/world and his wife grabbing at you/seeing you in very little for years so in her words "have no shame left!"

x-posted with Meow