Tokyo Olympics have turned the lens on ‘sexualisation of sport’

The new world records and spectacular upsets generally dominate the conversation around Olympics, another important topic has repeatedly come into the limelight — the ‘sexualisation of sport’.

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The phrase first hit headlines when the German women’s gymnastics team wore unitards as their uniform at the sporting event, instead of the traditionally favoured leotards.

The team decided to wear the unitards as a “move that was designed to promote freedom of choice and encourage women to wear what makes them feel comfortable.”

The unitard and leotard are both skin-tight garments usually made of lycra and spandex, their stretchability making them the perfect choice for gymnastics and dance.

The unitard worn by the German team is essentially a skintight suit, which covers the athletes’ body right from the ankles to their wrists.

Women gymnasts for the longest time have worn the bikini-cut leotard, a skin-tight one-piece attire that covers the torso and leaves the thighs bare.