Sarah Voss - sexualisation of costumes in gymnastics

[tumbletastic]

Tried searching but couldn't find a thread on this already.

A German gymnast has worn a full body costume to promote safety and comfort in the sport.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56858863.amp

It's was not something I ever really thought too hard about but I'm so glad that this is happening especially for the girls/ women that follow behind. I hope it catches on for those who chose to wear.

No more points deducted for wearing non traditional leotards.

It looks so much better! Good on her.

I’m all for the fuller covering but I’m not sure how safe they would be to wear on the asymmetric bars. I do wonder if they train on the bars in these.

Fab news, and yes, about time.

That looks great, I hope it becomes more standard.

Looks far more comfortable and practical to my untrained eye.

Looks great good to see this

Good. I hope ballet will take note too. Some schools still don’t allow girls to wear knickers under their leotards. (My dd always did, even at vocational school)

Good for her. Long overdue that girls and women should be able to dress as they choose. And given all the revelations about levels of abuse of young women gymnasts in the sport it's long overdue that they should take back some control.

Long overdue. The high cut leotards that disappear up the backside are neither practical nor attractive - which is why the men dont have to wear them. As the BBC coyly says, gymnasts lose points if they are seen pulling the fabric down.

Also time to stop the compulsory thick makeup too, again not an issue for men. Then back to slowing real body shapes and non damaging moves and gymnastics might just be something you'd want your daughters to do.

Love this. My DS does gymnastics, and even at 7 his clothes are so much more practical and comfortable than the spangly leotards the girls wear. (Not that I’m anti spangle bu any means).

His clothes are not a barrier or a source of embarrassment ever. For some of the girls in his group, you can see them already uncomfortable wearing skin tight and high cut clothes. For developing bodies it’s too much of a lens.

I thought good for her too.

I wasn't keen on the description of the rules that said that gymnasts were allowed to wear full length costumes, as long as they were of an elegant design. Something about the fact that they had to be 'elegant' still seems like it's a bit too much about appearance. If they said it had to be fitted so that form could be seen, or whatever the actual reason is, then that would be different. I think they probably do look elegant, whatever the design is, but I don't like that that is the rule. The men presumably don't have to have elegant design on theirs - they just have to have what is practical for being able to do the moves, and being able to be judged on correct form.

Just for another perspective, some forms of gymnastics absolutely need a high level of skin to equipment ratio.
For example in pole fitness and other aerial sports you need a lot of skin to stick to the pole. Real experts can do it in leggings but you have to have incredible strength, even more so than usual to manage it safely.
Obviously not the case for horizontal gymnastics though, but that's why some costumes seem skimpy- it's needed to execute the moves sometimes.
Still, hurrah for more choice.

She looks great. The current “normal” leotards are awful, far too skimpy to stay out without being glued into place. When I did dancing as a young child the legs were so so much lower - the whole hip was covered and no danger of it slipping between the bum cheeks or into the vulva which is what I feel the modern ones will do at any moment.

Thank goodness for that. I hope the track and field kits follow this trend. How can it possibly be comfortable to have skimpy pants disappearing up your bottom? (Not to mention an y other considerations)

I hated the leotards as a gymnast, especially when I started my periods and growing pubic hair and getting fat on my thighs.

They say we need them but male gymnasts didn't have to wear them. I was longing for a pair of shorts.

Great news. I hope all sports that women do take note. Clothing needs to be fit for purpose. No more.

Love it. Good for her.

The leotards have got tinier and tinier. They didn't used to not cover the arse etc.

And when they do eg a splits handstand it's just, how many women and girls would feel genuinely comfy with that.

Also getting points deducted when they pull it out their arse? I mean FFS.

The thing I was ??? was I think it said something about tackling sexual abuse which seemed a bit strange.

Gerbil, I think that might be an oblique reference to the nature of the comments that get left on gymnastics videos by male viewers, which get seen by the girls who also watch the videos.

I disagree with the notion that legs on a leotard will protect against sexual abuse (predators).

No it wasn't purgatory but I dread to think.

The idea it will stop sexual abuse is bonkers.

Let's not focus on that though- it's a brave move and a statement so well done.

Erm, really?

The leotard allows fingers to probe when a gymnast is being held, guided, caught during a move.

Wearing an all in one won't stop the hand that supports from 'feeling' the body beneath it, but it will stop the skin on skin contact, the fingers inside the elastic, the most intimate touching.

And if this woman, and others, tell you that they feel safer, less likely to be molested or leched at if they wear a full body suit, why would you choose to question their feelings based on their experience?

She, and others want to push the control they have over what they wear because they think it will make a difference. That it will help while they continue to train and compete, waiting for the NGB to catch up and make some real changes. Don't ridicule it.

It looks excellent and appropriate for professional athletes. It’s time female sports competitors were allowed to dress in clothes which are suitable for the activity, not trussed up like they’re competing in a retrogressive beauty pageant.

Jeez, sounds like no one should be doing this sport.

And yes, regarding track and field - females have to run in bra and small knickers while men wear practical kit. Why?

@murbblurb

Jeez, sounds like no one should be doing this sport.

And yes, regarding track and field - females have to run in bra and small knickers while men wear practical kit. Why?

Well some one explained to me that it was because they would chaff if they wore longer shorts because female bodies are different to men's, and the bra only because otherwise they would get too hot, the tiny boobs of elite athletes being well known for overheating

It did sound to my ears more like rationalisation to justify than anything else

Yes, I don't see how anyone could reasonably object to this. They such trust women to know what they feel most comfortable and safest in. I'd be interested to see if people do object, and if they come up with reasons that aren't based on wanting to see women in skimpy outfits.