Shorts over leotards: New Zealand revamps gymnastic attire rules

Gymnastics New Zealand (GNZ) changed its attire rules, allowing both women and girls to wear shorts or leggings over their leotards. The rules also mention that athletes won’t be penalised for visible underwear and bra straps during competitions in New Zealand.

The regulatory authority stated that alterations were implemented following a survey conducted among competitive gymnasts, yielding over 200 responses, revealing the athletes’ desire to “experience comfort and safety” in the sport.

“We found the regulations around underwear were unclear and unevenly applied and, to be honest, a little archaic,” GNZ chief executive Andrea Nelson said in a statement.

“We’re just making sure that wherever you are in the sport, you have the choice. So no one feels uncomfortable or excluded,” the statement added.

The newly implemented regulations solely apply to competitions within New Zealand. International competitors, however, remain subject to the rules set forth by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

Those require females to wear “correct sportive non transparent leotard or unitard … which must be of elegant design”.

Female athletes can have anywhere from 0.30 to 1.00 points deducted from their final score for attire violations during individual or teams routines.

Previously, athletes have expressed worries about gymnastic attire, exemplified by the German team’s decision to don full-body suits at the Tokyo Olympics, denoting a stance against the sexualization of women in sports.

Additionally, a 2021 study conducted by Sport New Zealand focusing on female teenagers unveiled that many were discontinuing participation in sports and recreational activities due to discomfort with certain attire.

Nelson suggested that loosening some of the attire regulations could encourage girls to remain engaged in sports and, at the very least, align the rules for females with those for males, who have historically been permitted to wear shorts or trousers.

“Gymnastics is a tough enough sport without having to stress about incurring a deduction because a judge can see your bra strap,” Nelson added.

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