2 May 2021
Some British gymnasts are pushing back against what they call “outdated and sexist” leotard rules that dictate what they are allowed to wear during competition.
British olympian Jennifer Pinches, a member of Team Great Britain in 2021, told the
Sunday Times that the leotards athletes are asked to wear are “perpetuating extremely harmful ideals.”
The controversy comes after gymnasts from other European nations have begun adopting full-length bodysuits during competition. Specifically, as the
Daily Mailreports, “…German gymnast Sarah Voss set a trend by wearing a full length bodysuits to compete at the 2021 European Gymnastics Championships in April in favour of the traditionally worn leotard.”
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She was closely followed by Elisabeth Seitz and Kim Bui, who wore similar suits during the women s all-round final.
In a message shared on her Instagram account, Ms Voss wrote that the decision to wear the full length version of the leotards, called a unitard, was close to the hearts of her team and that she was immensely proud to wear it. Feeling good and still looking elegant. Why not? she wrote.
Gymnasts do have the choice to wear unitards at the European Championships, but there are traditionally worn for religious reasons, and seeing the style worn at a high profile competition is rare.
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Former British gymnasts allege decades of physical, psychological abuse espn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from espn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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One of the claimants, Jennifer Pinches, who represented Team GB at London 2012, said: For too long we have seen British Gymnastics prioritise podiums over people which has led to untold damage to the lives of young people. It is a heart-breaking truth to face, knowing the level of abuse that we and so many others were subjected to. This is just the beginning of the sweeping changes that we are demanding, and the justice that we will fight for.
The gymnasts allegations include widespread inappropriate use of physical force , widespread bullying and intimidating behaviour , gaslighting and inappropriate weight management techniques which is alleged to have caused eating disorders .