What do you think? Germany debuts full-length unitards...

I love it. I hope they are as comfortable to perform in as they look.

Cute!

I’m glad!

Very cute and much better than seeing young hiney’s hanging out.

You’d think after the sex abuse scandal in the US, we’d be an example like this, but of course not. Good job, Germany.

Love them! I wonder what US olympians think of them.

There is a man on my FB friend’s list who is convinced the women LIKE what they’re forced to wear.

@Dutchess_III Yeah, because all teenage girls like to show their entire body to a world of lecherous fools. What an idiot.

Yes, don’t all young girls want old, decrepit men to try to get a look at their va jay jay?~

Looks great. I think the ladies who compete should have a choice. Part of it is fashion. Remember working out in leotards with Jane Fonda, and now we are all in yoga pants. Swimsuits have changed too, even in the Olympics. Why not let the athletes choose what they are comfortable in, while still wearing the official garb of the team. I don’t like tight light leggings all the way down to my ankles, I prefer a crop length when they are tight. Leotards, shorts, crop pants, and long pants, let them wear what they want.

I’m wondering if, because the leggings are not something the gymnasts are used to, they’d have to take some time to get used to them. If a world famous gymnast has been wearing a one piece leotard her whole life, and then all of a sudden is going to wear a one piece full length legging, it may affect her performance. I also wonder if, because the gymnasts are used to wearing what they wear now (the leotard which is revealing), they don’t think about people looking at them, they’re just used to it. Obviously they’re very good at focusing and concentrating, if they get to the level of the Olympics.

^^I’m sure they don’t think about people looking at them. I wore leotards all the time. It was what we wore. What about when we wear swimsuits? Are woman now going to be expected to cover up more? Head to toe like the Muslim girl who used to come to my gym. What direction are we going. I remember a Q about young girls wearing bikinis. I wore a bikini when I was little. I wore a one piece, a bikini, sometimes a short sleeve swim shirt. Why so much attention on girls.

I agree change of wardrobe can affect performance, but I assume they have been wearing those uniforms during practice. Anyway, regarding affecting performance, That’s why I think the girls should have a choice. I completely agree with everything you said.

I’m sure they’ve used leotards in practice.

Looks great! If it doesn’t impede performance, go for it.

They aren’t going to stop there! Women’s beach volleyball has the same sexist rules…but the guys get to wear comfy shorts.

I’m excited that so many men are on our side!

This is yet another beginning of raising, worldwide, a new type of woman – one who’s comfortable in her own skin, confident, and has the strength of character to make her own decisions regardless of approval. Every time one or more women stands up against sexism, misogyny, harassment, etc, she’s standing up for every woman and continuing the movement begun by early female rebels.

Well-behaved women seldom make history. ::: Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Nobody here has mentioned (that I’ve seen) some other relevant factors. The full leotard doesn’t require the women to shave or wax. The use of sanitary products if an athlete has her period is not problematic in the new leotards.

These things are important, if not cool to think/talk about.

Good points! ^

The article did mention the girls getting their periods. I hope none of the girls actually have to wear pads. I doubt they wear underwear underneath the unitards or the leotards, or Maybe there is underwear somehow built in?

I agree about the shaving too!

@JLeslie
I suspect that they wear “Tampex” instead of pads.
More concealing and comfortable.

Thank goodness for tampons. One of the best inventions of the 20th century. I would say tampons were as freeing as the birth control pill. Some of the athletes might not cycle since they have so little fat on their bodies.

I was going to say that. Many top level pro female athletes don’t have periods for reasons I don’t understand.

@Dutchess_III To produce the estrogen needed to cycle you need a certain percentage of body fat. Probably, nature’s way of trying to ensure a fetus would have sufficient nutrition, and also not harm the mother. I wouldn’t be surprised if some girls who cycle probably take BC pills to avoid having their period during competition. I’m just guessing that last part about the BC pills.

Wait until you see how we motivate our Olympians:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnk3XCeTnrQ

Here’s what I think – <<SMACK! SMACK!>>