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?

ZZZenagain, of course it is going on to some degree, but it's better than it's ever been in terms of the number of athletes who don't want any part of it, and are prepared to speak out against it.

Can I just say, at this point, this has been a very interesting and enjoyable discussion. ZZZenagain, and everyone else, thanks. But I really need a shower!

ZZZenagain, I know we veered from your original thread title, and I hope you don't mind about that, but it has been good.

FakePlasticTrees - about your SIL2B.

it's actually not my thread

even if I am talking a lot!

"It's my personal view and a matter of taste. Other people may think it is a really nice development and looks better than what they used to wear. "

You see my point is that I don't really notice what they're wearing, I mean I can see that it's shorts etc but what I'm really looking at is how strong they are/how fast they're running etc.

How do people feel about swimming costumes?

Damn can't find it.

I once got sent a joke which has a picture of a cycling team obviously having won something, all in a line. They all had white cycling shorts on and there was absolutely nothing left to the imagination

It was v funny and was trying to make teh point that much of mens sports gear isn't modest either!

Oh it was like this

snigger

Sorry to lower the tone...

yes it is interesting abou the swimming costumes. I suppose it is the change. I am used to seeing swimmers in swimming costumes so think nothing of it. I am not used to seeing the light athletic women dressed like that and so it feels wrong to me. Maybe it's that.

I'd find it strange to see tennis players dressed like that too, maybe for the same reason , it would jar on me because I'm not used to it.

Meow75 - she's rather amazing and we're sooo glad she's marrying BIL - there's going to be at least one olympic gold medalist at the wedding! I am the slob of my IL's family - DH is an ex-international rugby player, BIL has been in team GB for triathlon for the last 2 world champs, he's marrying this amazing ex-sprinter (who has represented GB sooo many times and now is personal trainer to the stars - two of her clients are currently in the top 10), and then there's me - who likes biscuits and sitting down...

DYTTS - re the woman winning the 5K - long distance events aren't usually won/lost by 0.1seconds. They aren't won/lost on sheer acceleration out the of blocks, so it's not as important about the clothing - apparently.

Oh My EYES ISNT!

Apologies Zzzenagain - totally misread your post and thought you were saying that athletes were no better role models than surgically enhanced pop stars

no it's ok I have the impression I am typing very muddled or belligerant texts today and I can't ifgure out how I'm doing it

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

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

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

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!!!

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).

"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.

"shorts and shirts". Damn adjacent keys.

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.

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!

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!"

Old old thread folks