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?

I haven't read all 8 pages of this but am currently watching the men's diving and can't help noticing that the men's trunks are somewhat on the skimpy side. Now, I'm sure some sports officiando more knowledgeable than I will appear to point out that it's all to do with areodynamics etc although, surely the argument for that would mean they ought to be in lycra longjohns similar to those worn by the cyclists? Whether I would find the men's diving quite so entertaining to watch if that were the case, I wouldn't like to say.

rosabud as is the case with female gymnastics, i believe the skimpy suits are out of necessity to allow the judges/athletes to evaluate leg/body position (eg. how straight the legs are during the dive) for the purposes of scoring (although if someone more knowledgeable in diving can correct me on this i'll be happy to be corrected.)

As an aside though you should remember that this is a feminist board and implying that looking at well toned body is enjoyable make you a chauvanist and part of patriarchy ("Whether I would find the men's diving quite so entertaining to watch if that were the case, I wouldn't like to say")

Heavens, i never impled that did I? And I was being so careful not to say! I have, of course, instictively been training my eye for straight legs and twisty back muscles.

Would I still be a member of the oppressive patriarchy if I said, I quite liked looking at the female athletes' toned bodies too? With both sexes, I think it's an appreciation of youth and how beautiful the human body can be. In an age where we seem so obsessed with the artificial ways of making our bodies look a certain way - clothing/ make-up/ dieting/ photoshopping/ plastic surgery etc etc, isn't it ok to appreciate some bodies that look good through natural, healthy sport etc? I think it's part of admiring how fast they run/ swim/ dive or whatever. Don't forget, the ancient Olympians didn't wear any clothes at all. The Olympics is about admiring what the human body is physically capable of and that, to an extent, includes what it looks like too.

What is wrong with seeing healthy young women's (and men's!!!) bodies FFS?

And for real skimpy, was anyone watching the male diving last night :o

I think the difference is in the fact that women's sport is still in the stage of establishing itself. While one might get a bit hot under the collar at the sight of the divers' well toned pecks, no one for one minute thinks that's all male sport is about, or doubts the strength, skill or merit of male sport in general.

On the other hand, women's sport is still in the stage of fighting to be recognised for its merit and as something that has a reason to exist beyond its sex appeal. Of course it has made huge progress (and has had huge support from some male sporting icons) but is still beleaguered by stupid assholes such as Blatter who believe that the main attraction of women's sports should be its sex appeal to men.

Fingers crossed that this Olympics has made a difference to those perceptions.

Some of the male divers' trunks sat very low on their hips, and quite a few of them had to pull them up, or even back on properly, when they swam out of the pool.

In terms of being able to assess body positioning, you can do that in any skin-tight clothing. Rhythmic gymnasts, for example, are allowed long-sleeved and full-legged catsuits for competition, if they want them.

They certainly have changed women's clothes to be skimpier over the years even in things like tennis. I don't think female athletes would wear clothes which made their sport worse. Ignoring the top part and showing tummies (as women have breasts), compare male and female runners' shorts. Women's are very close fitting. Men's are loose. Is that because there is a penis to be housed?

I thought you would be pleased that we aren't all bashing the bishop every time we see a bit of bare flesh. Some of us can resist the urge.>Now this place is full of discussions on PIV sex, genital shaving, vaginal swabs, anal sex, prostitution and written guides to underage sex, so if a couple of my colloquialisms upset you I am sorry, but I don't think they are that out of line with the rest of this board.

The women's revealing kit is chosen by men and is written down in the official rules (IHF Rules of the Games). (page 90 for lovely pictures)
There is no official choice for the women (skirts or knickers). The refs can CHOOSE to ignore the rule as long as oppo don't complain so you would be OK as long as you don't win.

Michael Wiederer is the European chairman with a "Board" of 88% male and a 12% Chairwoman.
My DD is not impressed which is one reason she does not like to play sports (The boys kit is so much better).

The alternative is everybody plays in the same kit (men and women).

Jessica Ennis-Hill comments

www.telegraph.co.uk/olympics/2021/07/30/lived-fear-wardrobe-malfunction-athletes-should-able-wear/

Another thing I wonder about is their hair. While most women tie it back, some have masses of hair flopping about while they are running, and in the sprint where the timings are in hundredths of seconds I think it would make a difference,