Pathway to Peace podcast 22-08-2021-Olympics & sportswear: sexualisation of women in sports

Title: Olympics & sportswear: sexualisation of women in sports

Synopsis: The original motto of the modern day Olympics is made up of three Latin words: Citius - Altius - Fortius. These words mean Faster - Higher - Stronger. On the 20th of July 2021, the Session of the International Olympic Committee approved a change in the Olympic motto that recognises the unifying power of sport and the importance of solidarity. The new Olympic motto now reads in Latin “Citius, Altius, Fortius - Communiter” which translate as “Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together” in English. The International Olympic Committee aims to set high values in highlighting healthy and positive ways to compete with others and ways in which sport can be used as a tool for development and social change. However, this year much media coverage about the Olympics was focusing on the mental health of athletes and what they are and aren’t allowed to wear when competing. The female German gymnastics team was a clear example of this - who opted to wear a full length unitard to cover their entire body - more in line with the men’s uniform. When questioned as to why they had taken this stance they clearly stated that it was a voice “against sexualisation in gymnastics”.
This week on Pathway to Peace, the panel takes a look at this issue in more detail and consider how and why women’s sporting attire in international sport has changed over time and whether or not this change promotes peace and harmony.

Presenters: Hafia Khan, Reem Shraiky & Anne Marie Onesco