Nike under fire for Team USA’s thin track and field jerseys as critics blast Olympic uniform that doesn’t allow women to do ‘long jump, hurdles or high jump’

Team USA’s female athletes, past and present, have hit out at Nike’s skimpy jerseys after their summer Olympic and Paralympic gear was unveiled in Paris last week.

The garment that catches the most attention is a high-cut leotard for athletic stars that barely covers the bikini line.

Photos released Thursday of the women’s suit on a mannequin showing a very high-cut panty line sparked criticism from several athletes for what they saw as a decision to prioritize slimness over function.

Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was among the American athletes who modeled the controversial outfits at a Nike event in Paris, where the games will be held.

American middle distance runner Athing Mu was also there. While Mu wore knickers, Richardson wore a shorts version of the outfit.

American athlete Athing Mu wore panties during the unveiling of the team’s suit in Paris last week

Sha’Carri Richardson wore a version of the outfit with shorts and Anna Cockrell wore panties

“They’re definitely not made for performance,” said American steeplechaser Colleen Quigley.

Hurdler Queen Harrison joked that the European Wax Center should become Team USA’s sponsor because of how high the jersey runs.

Retired track athlete Lauren Fleshman was fiercely critical on Instagram. She wrote: ‘I’m sorry but show me a WNBA or NWSL team that would enthusiastically support this kit.

This is for Olympic athletics. Professional athletes should be able to compete without dedicating brain space to constant gender vigilance or the mental gymnastics of having every vulnerable part of your body on display.

‘Women’s kit should serve for performance, mentally and physically. If this outfit was really beneficial for physical performance, men would wear it. This is not an elite athletic set for athletics.

‘This is a costume born of patriarchal forces that are no longer welcome or necessary to raise awareness of women’s sport. I’m queer and I’m attracted to female bodies, but I don’t expect or enjoy seeing female athletes or male athletes being made to struggle with self-consciousness in their workplace.

“It is not part of the job description. I lived that life and know that excellence is born of selflessness, of freedom and embodiment of action and instinct. Stop making it harder for half the population @nike @teamUSA @usatf.’

Even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wondered on social media: ‘Was ANY female athlete consulted in this team kit?!?’

Retired track athlete Lauren Fleshman said the clothing was “born of patriarchal forces that are no longer welcome or necessary”

Katie Moon, the defending Olympic pole vault champion who is sponsored by Nike, offered the company’s most impassioned defense on social media.

She began her post by saying the leotard shown on the mannequin “was troubling and warranted the response it received.”

But she said the women had at least 20 different combinations of uniforms to compete in, and they can also choose the styles made for men.

‘When you attack buns and crop tops and say things like it’s “sexist” (which if it was our only choice it would be), even if it’s with the best of intentions, you’re ultimately attacking our decision as women to wear it,’ she said.

She also posted pictures of herself trying on the set, commenting: ‘If this can help put women’s minds at ease a bit…I tried the same style today and didn’t feel worried about…things.. .appears.

‘I think it’s just the mannequin. This felt like the last set, just a slightly higher cut. I know every body is different so that’s just my opinion.’

Nike said it offered athletes unitard options with both a short and a short for this Olympics, while it only offered briefs for the Tokyo Olympics.

Reigning Olympic pole vault champion Katie Moon defends Nike on social media

Executive John Hoke insisted the company worked ‘directly with athletes through all stages of the design process.’

The track and field kit for men and women includes nearly 50 garments and 12 competition styles for specific events, the brand said when they launched the clothing.

A spokesperson for USA Track & Field said, “Athlete options and choices were the driving force for USATF in the planning process with Nike.”

Nike previously found itself at the center of another uniform debate.

More Major League Baseball players complained about the fit of the new Nike Vapor Premier during spring training.

Nike has been designing MLB uniforms since 2020 and Fanatics has been manufacturing them since 2017, but this marked the first year of Nike Vapor Premier jerseys.