Amid controversy surrounding its uniforms for the United States women’s track and field team for this summer’s Olympics in Paris, Nike is putting an emphasis on athletes’ diversity of options for apparel.
The company told Reuters on Saturday afternoon that all athletes would be able to opt in or out of its brief option—which received criticism for being too revealing—in favor of a short.
“Athlete options and choices were the driving force for USATF in the planning process with Nike,” a spokesperson for track and field’s American governing body said.
Images of the uniforms were made public Thursday and drew immediate comment from athletes.
“They are absolutely not made for performance,” American steeplechaser Colleen Quigley said. “Our bodies are all different, and it seems silly to expect us to compete at the highest level of our sport without a properly fit uniform.”
Nike athlete and Olympic champion pole vaulter Katie Moon called the uniforms “concerning,” adding the caveat that she preferred competing in briefs to shorts.
The Olympics are scheduled to open July 26.Nike Addresses Concerns About Women’s Olympic Track and Field Uniforms Being Too Disclosing.
