Women athletes’ clothing

ixion

^the swimsuits are so high cut the girls must have Brazilian waxes to be able to wear them!!!^

Some of these girls are 17. Can you imagine the sixth former who has discovered a talent at, say, school or club level, possibly struggling with self-consciousness or body image of a developing teenager, finding that to perform at this level, they have to wear outfits they are not comfortable with and undergo waxing etc they really hadn't bargained for?

Can anyone establish who sets these outfit rules?

FINA has to approve suits. However There appear to be quite a few brands that have approval so I’m wondering if it’s down to the athletes themselves to choose what they like best

Thank you - that's very interesting!

You’re welcome

I went down a rabbit hole searching myself a few days ago

When two of my daughters were involved in high level competitive diving, they could never find costumes that had high legs. Most of the female divers back then (late 80's/early 90's) would carefully be tucking up the legs of their cossies, in order to try to make their legs look longer. Much more uncomfortable than the present day cossies which have proper high leg cut.

By the time a diver reaches the level of being able to represent their countries as such big events, they are well used to wearing their costumes in front of audiances, and are far more concerned about their dives and entry into water, than anything else.

By the time a diver reaches the level of being able to represent their countries as such big events, they are well used to wearing their costumes in front of audiances, and are far more concerned about their dives and entry into water, than anything else.

Ah, thank you! I hadn't thought of it like that!?‍♀️

If you're watching the mixed synchronised diving, the difference between the male and female attire from the back is 'noticeable'.

Chardy

If you're watching the mixed synchronised diving, the difference between the male and female attire from the back is 'noticeable'.

The hips and derrière of males and females are different too, for anybody who hadn’t noticed.

I don’t accept for a minute that “body image pressure” has anything to do with high cut legs on cossies or skimpy budgie smugglers. Grant the divers some intelligence, please.
Have some grans run out of things to cluck about?

Franbern

When two of my daughters were involved in high level competitive diving, they could never find costumes that had high legs. Most of the female divers back then (late 80's/early 90's) would carefully be tucking up the legs of their cossies, in order to try to make their legs look longer. Much more uncomfortable than the present day cossies which have proper high leg cut.

By the time a diver reaches the level of being able to represent their countries as such big events, they are well used to wearing their costumes in front of audiances, and are far more concerned about their dives and entry into water, than anything else.

Fair enough- but what is the point. Why do they have to get used to it?

Because spectators watch diving?

What is there to be self conscious about?

They feel good and happy in those cossies. No diver or gymnast, etc would be able to compete properly if they were NOT comfortable in their attire.
Wish people on here would stop trying to sexualise everything and just sit back and enjoy and appreciate the incredible talent and work displayed.

I am not sexualising anything I am supporting the female athletes who have complained about their attire. Those who have complained dont feel happy in their attire such as the Norwegian team who were fined for their protest. But yes much easier to shout prude.

The (very) briefs the male divers wear appear to be painted on! They might as well be wearing posing pouches! But they do enable spectacular performances. Can they get any more brief?

I saw a TV programme yesterday about sharks. Their skin is super-stream lined. The textile gurus invented a textile that imitates sharks' skin and it is so efficient at increasing swimmers' speed they had to ban it in competitions.

It seems athletic clothing is very thoughtfully engineered.

No, you are not.

When athletes oppose the outfits they are told to wear, then I give them my full support. (eg: beach volley ball), however, the gymnasts and divers (both groups have been mentioned on this thread), have not made any sort of protest or appear to be at all unhappy with their attire.
Their beautifully toned, and healthy bodies just look wonderful.

MawtheMerrier

Because spectators watch diving?

What is there to be self conscious about?

Spectators watch diving for the diving? Or is it like beach volley. Why should young women have to show their bums to entertain- the boys/men don't.