WNBA To Reject Nike’s Paris Olympics Outfit for Track Athletes According to Former American Champion

Nike faced harsh criticism within a week of MLB matches this season, because of mismatched uniforms and sweat stains. Now, it’s like what’s not selling for one isn’t selling for another as well for Nike. Only this time it’s the Paris-headed athletics team. This placed Nike in the grip of yet another intense backlash before the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Since Americans are known for being obsessed with the newest trends in fashion, their admiration for style is highly valued. A former multi-personality track and field athlete criticized Nike for their vague clothing for women. And she is not alone in it, many athletes tagged along to point out how easily it makes one prey to wardrobe malfunction.

Paris Olympics buildup sees more raised concerns

Nike unveiled its US Olympics kits on Thursday, April 11. Two mannequins wore the  2024 Paris Olympics uniform: The men’s coverup included a body-hugging tank top and mid-thigh-length compressed shorts. However, the women’s uniform, was a bodysuit with too deep of a cut towards the bottom with minimal coverage. This prompted, Lauren Fleshman, a former runner and coach to share, “I’m sorry, but show me one WNBA or NWSL team who would enthusiastically support this kit,” on Instagram with fit references. 

Fleshman left no point untouched as she wrote, “This is for Olympic Track and Field. Professional athletes should be able to compete without dedicating brain space to constant pube vigilance or the mental gymnastics of having every vulnerable piece of your body on display…. This is not an elite athletic kit for track and field. This is a costume born of patriarchal forces that are no longer welcome or needed to get eyes on women’s sports.”

Meanwhile, the uniform which is widely slammed has been made with the help of body scanning and motion capturing to attain the perfect fit. While it unarguably looks well fitted, but too fitted enough that it leaves no room for motion freedom, at least from its cohesive looks. However, here’s what other athletes have to say about what looked more like a swimming costume for Paris Olympics-headed track and field athletes.

Big ‘nae’ to the skimpy uniform

While several Nike competitors slammed the brand with inconsiderate innovation, another set of women who were genuinely concerned about comfort rallied to raise their voices. Running coach Alison Staples called out the iconic sportswear brand saying, “If the labia are hanging out on a still mannequin, what do we expect to happen to a moving person?”

Olympic long jumper and a future wearer of the uniform, Tara Davis-Woodhall, commented under Citiusmag’s post saying, “wait my hoo haa is gonna be out.” Queen Harrison Claye, former sprinter and hurdler, clapped back with a sponsorship appeal and wrote, “Hi @europeanwax would you like to sponsor Team USA for the upcoming Olympic Games!? Please and thanks.” Two-time U.S. champion, Lauren Fleshman, isn’t a lone fighter who penned her frustration on Nike, many athletes are crying sexism over the launch for 2024 Paris Olympics. Your take?