From Nike’s release on the 2024 uniforms:

“The Paris 2024 collection is the most data-driven and visually unified effort Nike has ever produced. Featuring the Dri-FIT ADV platform, the 50 unique pieces serve athletes across a multitude of disciplines, body types and size ranges with maximum breathability and athlete performance in mind.”

Some thoughts via Kyle Merber in The Lap Count Newsletter (April 17, 2024):

Let’s talk about these US uniforms! Jeez, people were NOT happy about the big reveal of the eventual Nike Olympic uniforms that will be worn by the fittest athletes in the world come Paris.

The evolution of the comment section really tells a story here because at least initially, people were quipping about the designs in general and not exclusively the narrow coverage of the women’s uniform that became the focus of articles by the New York Times, CNN, WSJ, and every other major news outlet it seems like. That embedded tweet now has over 26M views, so this one really left our little sphere of track weirdos. 

At first, the attention was on the comic sans-like font across the uniform’s chest. And for the historians out there, the uncanny resemblance between the women’s uniform and the previously worn kit by Team GB was another point of derision.

But, once the general public laid eyes on the kit and the non-track media caught wind of it, the discussion quickly centered on the imbalance of expectations and norms between genders. That’s an important conversation to have, but most track athletes and fans know that there are many different uniform options for all levels of comfort. Athletes who qualify for Team USA can choose from a range of bottoms, ranging from split shorts, to tights, all the way to the mannequin-sexualizing briefs that kicked off this firestorm.

Not every person who sees that uniform announcement will have the same context as those of us who write or read newsletters about track and field – in fact, most won’t. And it’s an interesting thought experiment to think about what other aspects of our sport might be surprising to those who are less tapped into it. Like maybe the idea of six guys circling around one kneeling teammate before the start of a cross country race – a formation that lacks an official name but is essentially a pisser’s shield – would be perceived as strange!

As the pitchforks came out, some athletes who have worn and will actually have to wear the uniform voiced their support, with Katie Moon certainly deserving of a contract extension for her role as defensive player of the week. They look a lot better on a human body, but I don’t think it’d look as good on you or I as they do on Rai Benjamin. In conclusion, I hate to point fingers, but that mannequin definitely will not be invited back to the next fashion show.

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