After Nike’s Public Shame, Adidas’ Team GB Overpowers Track And Field USA’s Outfit For Paris Olympics

Do you know? When the Olympic Games began, all athletes competed naked. But as the games evolved, so did the attire. It ended up being a top and bottom for women and a shirt and shorts for men on track and field. However, Nike’s recent outfit for Team USA’s track and field once again drew strings to the original Olympic kit!

As per the reveal, Nike’s outfit comprises a standard top and shorts for men, while a one-piece with a high-cut bikini line for women athletes. This cut is something that sparked backlash from current and former athletes. While Nike landed in fervent debates, Adidas emerged as “grounded in simplicity“. How?

Nike vs. Adidas: feat Olympic kits

On 18th April, Adidas unveiled the first look of Team Britain’s kits that they will be wearing at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games. Adidas’ design is “built around the classic British red, white, and blue” with “white lion head graphics“. Within hours of the reveal, Adidas’ outfit made waves on the internet.

As spectators looked at the outfit, they couldn’t resist themselves and went on to draw comparisons between Nike’s and Adidas’ outfits. Owen M took it to his X account and threw the gauntlet at the bigger sportswear brand indirectly, “I actually don’t mind the Team GB kits! It’s a simple design, but it’s not tacky like that other company”. But are the outfits by Nike really that bad?

While Adidas kept the collection “sleek, modern,” so that Great Britain’s red and white elements pop up against blue when athletes are competing on tracks, Nike, using technological advancements, crafted more of a modern-day design. However, Nike’s bikini kit seems to be more uncomfortable for female athletes, failing the purpose of bettering performance on tracks. But, this formed the basis for something unexpected.

Empowering athletes’ choice

Despite the backlash faced by Nike, notable athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson dived in to stand by Nike. But why? Mainly because Nike has been at the forefront of Olympic outfit design with a rich history spanning over three decades. Since 1992, Nike has been crafting kits. But does that mean even those who don’t like the outfits have to wear them?

Of course not. “Athletes can choose outfits that match their style and personal preference without sacrificing comfort during the games in Paris,” according to Nike’s assertion. Simply put, this means if athletes like the outfits, they can wear them, but even if they don’t, they can go for something else that matches comfort and style.