The controversy surrounding the women's USA Olympic uniforms made by Nike is “blown out of proportion,” according to a former Irish Olympian.
Some pieces from the range, which was launched in Paris last week, have drawn criticism from athletes for being too small and revealing.
USA long jump star Tara Davis Woodall commented that her “hoo haa is gonna be out” on an Instagram post unveiling the uniforms.
View this post on Instagram
Retired runner Laura Freshman also said the uniforms would make it difficult to concentrate on a race when “every vulnerable piece of your body is on display”.
However, Nike has said athletes were consulted when designing the uniforms and that there are “nearly 50 unique pieces” to choose from across their USA Olympic uniform range.
On Lunchtime Live today retired Irish long-distance runner and Olympian Catherina McKiernan said the controversy is beneficial to Nike.
“I think Nike were chancing their arm a bit and seeing how people would react to it,” she said.
“As we know, any publicity is good publicity, so they had nothing to lose from bringing out that gear.
“I think it’s all a bit blown over the top, to be honest.”
Individual's choice
Ms McKiernan said it's up to individual athletes to choose what uniform to wear.
It’s not just the one uniform and they all have to wear it,” she said.
“They’re not given this swimsuit, as we would call it, and told, ‘You have to do your 800m [and] 600m around the track in this’.
“For some people, it would give them confidence wearing it and for others, it wouldn’t – it depends on a person’s personality.”
“For some people, it would give them confidence wearing it, and for others, it wouldn’t – it depends on a person’s personality.”
Catherina McKiernan won the European Cross Country Championship in 1994. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock PhotoThe former Olympian said it often comes down to an individual’s “morals, values, and respect”.
“We don’t have to go out the same gate as all the other sheep,” she said.
“Just because someone who wins an Olympic medal is wearing this, it doesn’t mean the youngsters have to follow suit or look up to that person.”
Distraction
McKiernan said the controversy could prove to be a distraction for USA track athletes during this summer’s games.
“If it does, they’re not going to be in the right mindset and perform to the best of their ability,” she said.
“Every athlete preparing for the Olympics in Paris in August should be just focused on their training to be the best they can possibly be on the biggest day of their lives.”
The 2024 Summer Olympics begins in Paris on July 26th and runs until August 11th.
You can listen back here:
Main image: Catherina McKiernan. Image: AG News/Alamy Live News
