It's sexualization bc they are not given a choice if they feel uncomfortable w a labia slipping out and bc the men that made the rule think they will lose viewership if they don't show their bodies. Let them wear what they want especially w the history of sexual assault in the olympics. This shouldn't even have to be said and for anyone saying this is political FU. A women's right to choose what's best for her body is not political men don't have to wear leotards. They get to be comfortable no one says that's political

I find it hard to believe when someone talked about "It's about protesting more than athletic prowess". Politics and protest have been a part of the Olympics since before I was born. And calling people snowflakes for pointing out real issues only highlights their own misogyny and insecurity.

If men are wearing unitards, and the womens uniform requires leotards, then it's because women are being sexualised. If women have uniforms specifying bikini bottoms or high-cut swim suits but men can wear unitards, shorts or trunks, rather than speedos, women are being sexualised. Legs, particularly the upper thighs, are sexualised.

This is awesome! Normalizing more options for the athletes so they can wear what they are most comfortable in, as in, what is physically the most comfortable (I would feel like I had a constant wedgie in some of those bikini cut leotards, not to mention the near constant waxing or shaving necessary to keep pubic hair from being on display!) as well how much skin they are comfortable showing. For some gymnasts, maybe the high-cut leotards makes them feel like they have a better range of motion. For others, I'm sure it feels more freeing not to have to make sure the edges are glued down so that nothing uh slips out. For younger gymnasts I'm sure getting to have a choice would make them feel much more comfortable.

I am no prude but it is a bit ikky when the young girls are underdressed.

Go Germany!!!!

There should be no difference between what the men wear and what the women wear in certain sports. The fact that the women's beach volleyball team was fined for not wearing skimpy shorts makes me so angered. The men wear loose fitting t-shirts and shorts. It doesn't affect their play. The women should be able to wear the same.

I did gymnastics at a fairly high level (country level) - those leotards need to be stuck on your cheeks with fashion glue. Super uncomfortable! I hope all athletes get the freedom to amend the outfits to what they would like to wear. I know the skin tightness is for judging purposes as well, so that's within reason.

The guy who said that the leotards were chosen/ designed with freedom of movement in mind! Soooo.... then guys don't have enough freedom of movement? Why don't they wear those things too? How stupid can you get?

That fine to the Norwegian team so retarded. It's like handing out a fine to a football team for wearing longer socks. It does not enhance performance nor does it hinder opponents.

That's a great change but I hope it's not only a dressing change! The culture needs to change for good in these sports where girls start their career from such a young age and often get abused and harassed! I see a positive change and i hope is a deep change!

I mean- some of those gymnasts are kids and they have to wear this crap? Ridiculous.

Beach Volleyball, a game devised by Dirty Old Men for Dirty Old Men.

Just a while ago, some people think choosing to cover your own body is a symbol of oppression. Hmmm....

For those of you pining for "the good old days" of "non-sexual" leotards, one only has to compare photos of Simone Biles to those of Olga Korbut. Go google Olga Korbut - she's clearly wearing a bra and underwear *under* her leotard and the leotard has hardly any upward angle from the crotch to the hip. No sparkles, no heavy makeup. Pigtails. Fast forward to Simone Biles; sequins, sparkly makeup, the entire crease between her legs and trunk showing whenever she does a split, half of each cheek hanging out, and always adjusting the leg openings after she finishes an apparatus. There's nothing unique about either one of them in their time - I just chose two well-known gymnasts of two very different eras.

Just think of how it feels doing those moves in a leotard, it must hurt, cutting into their crotch, Ouch! . Leave them alone and stop this sexism

I don't know if this is real or just in my head, but it seemed to me that in the TV coverage of the women's beach volleyball, the cameras spent a lot of time lingering, or even zooming in, on butt shots, especially when the players were bending over. I didn't notice that as much with the men in their baggy shorts. It's sort of hard to argue that beach volleyball is the one sport where bikini bottoms sort of make sense, but still... I don't see the men jumping around in Speedos.

Also, I'm in love with the designs of he unitards! Especially the long sleeved ones with the diamond pointy details! That "slit" in the leg with the triangle lines is such a gorgeous detail and beautiful use of positive and negative space.

The guy who insists that leotards were designed as they are for freedom of movement seems to have forgotten that male gymnasts can move just fine in their uniforms of stretch pants or shorts.

Allowing female athletes the option to wear shorts, unitards, etc. is a no-brainer. I don't know anyone who disagrees with this. Male, female, liberal, conservative, moderate, religious, non-religious, all races. This is probably the only thing that everyone has agreed on in quite some time.

I support the women who want to cover their bodies. So long as they all have the same uniform.

I used to think they wore leotards to make it easier to move their legs. I didn't even know this was an issue, and I'm glad this was brought to light. If longer pants are what makes them more comfortable, they should definitely wear those

How about they wear what they want to feel comfortable and perform well. And stop the conversation there. Let’s not get into the grey sexualization area. Yay for freedom to be comfortable. But Boo if we are saying women need to cover up to avoid being sexualized.

Regardless of how WE feel there are plenty of perverts watching for all the wrong reasons. Kudos to the shorts & unitards.

Let's face it, the Olympics have been going downhill for a long time, no matter how many 'new' sports they have to attract people - which is a big fail. It is too big, too expensive an accomplishes nothing. And as the 'uniforms' for women show, really sexist

Let them wear whatever, as long they compete