Tess Howard, an Olympian and member of Great Britain's women's field hockey team, recalls feeling embarrassed when she donned her team's new uniform in 2021. The compression tank top was too tight and low-cut, while the short, snug skort restricted her movement and breathing. This experience was not isolated, as many women athletes have struggled with uncomfortable and restrictive uniforms.
The issue extends beyond elite athletes, with nearly two-thirds of girls in the United Kingdom losing interest in sports by age 16 due to fear of judgment and lack of confidence. Sports uniforms are a contributing factor to this trend. In the United States, girls drop out of sports at a rate roughly twice that of boys.
Howard's team eventually persuaded the manufacturer to redesign the uniform, replacing the constricting top with a looser one. This change marked a turning point for Howard, who realized that athletes did not have to accept uncomfortable uniforms. She successfully advocated for shorts to be offered as an option, becoming the first woman Olympic field hockey player to score in shorts.
Her efforts have sparked a wave of change. Irish Camogie players won the right to wear shorts after boycotting play, while the French Gymnastics Federation allowed shorts over leotards for gymnasts.
When Olympian Tess Howard put on her new uniform for Great Britain's women's field hockey team in 2021, she felt something she hadn't expected at ...More takeaways: Visit website
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