Fred Richard’s New Uniform At Winter Cup

[MaryClare]

Late to this, but totally agree. There's absolutely nothing wrong with asking why things are the way they are, or saying things could, should or must change; doing things a certain way simply because that's the way they've always been done is absurd, and gymnastics really does need to get over itself wrt to deductions for anything not related to athletic performance. But his stated reasoning (essentially "people might think I'm gay") is offensive, and the ways he's presenting it all makes it sound like he's doing this to generate attention and controversy rather than to actually drive positive change.

Because nothing says I’m heterosexual than opting to wear even tighter tights.

Agree completely. People don’t seem to acknowledge how harmful it is.

It’s like the German woman saying yeah we opted for the unitard because we think leotards look slutty.

 

[KorbutFan]

and the ways he's presenting it all makes it sound like he's doing this to generate attention and controversy rather than to actually drive positive change.

He’s deleted it now but his IG post after was a video titled something like “Olympic gymnast punished for trying to make change” and how “the punishment was worth it”. He’s definitely trying to push an agenda but I’m not sure how much of it is really about the “uniform”.

 

[OnlyBeansOnToast]

It’s like the German woman saying yeah we opted for the unitard because we think leotards look slutty.

Totally. I try to tell myself their views were lost in translation because there's a world of difference between "we feel uncomfortably sexualised by these revealing outfits" and "this is what a **** would wear".

He’s deleted it now but his IG post after was a video titled something like “Olympic gymnast punished for trying to make change” and how “the punishment was worth it”.

He's clearly got an image in his mind of a Nike advert about the importance of being a hero for standing up for what you believe in no matter the cost.

 

[Milkshakedonut]

Does the singlet look much different from a wrestling or track one?

I’d say yes. Wrestling and track have longer shorts attached to the singlet. Gymnastics singlets are more shaped like skin tight baby onesie.

 

[OnlyBeansOnToast]

I’m now even more ragey after discovering that despite it being so important to him he has seemingly never mentioned this moral crusade in public at any previous point in his career, and does not seem to have made any effort at all to request or lobby for change or even canvas other athletes for their views and support before resorting to direct action. These are not the actions of a man who wants to change things for reasons other than personal profile. At best they’re the actions of someone who saw Stick It at a young age and remains outraged by Mina losing half a point on her vault due to an errant bra strap.

And oh my word he cites as inspiration Michael Jordan forcing change in the NBA’s rules on shoe colour, a “campaign” that was entirely the product of Nike’s marketing department.