Gymnasts' outfits in Germany deemed as 'sexualization' in sports
The German federation (DTB) said its gymnasts performing in the Swiss city of Basel were taking a stand against "sexualisation in gymnastics", adding that the issue had become all the more important to prevent sexual abuse. Until now, women and girls have only covered their legs in international competition for religious reasons.
Voss, from Germany, said she was proud of her decision, and her country's gymnastics federation supported her. Two team-mates then did the same on Friday, wearing full-body suits during the women's all-around final.” We hope gymnasts uncomfortable in the usual outfits will feel emboldened to follow our example," said Voss.
Voss explained her decision in an interview with a public broadcaster "We women all want to feel good in our skin. In the sport of gymnastics, it gets harder and harder as you grow out of your child's body. As a little girl, I didn't see the tight gym outfits as such a big deal. But when puberty began, when my period came, I began feeling increasingly uncomfortable."
The German federation said sport and gymnastics should be fields where female athletes felt comfortable in their clothing at all times. In a message posted on Instagram on Thursday, Voss described the decision as a project "close to the hearts of our team". Her performance on the beam had not gone as well as she had hoped, she said, but her message won widespread praise. "Feeling good and still looking elegant? Why not?" she wrote.
Dutch Gymnastics has also praised the move. A spokesman told public broadcaster NOS that judges had often deducted points when a competitor had tried to make her leotard more comfortable during their performance. While she had never herself been abused, Voss said that she and her colleagues were role models for younger athletes and wanted to encourage everyone to stand up for themselves.
US gymnast Simone Biles, who has said jailed sports doctor Larry Nassar sexually abused her, said last week that one reason she was competing at the Tokyo Olympics this year was to speak out and give survivors of abuse a voice.
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