Nike is slammed for Team USA's skimpy track and field leotards as critics blast Olympic uniform that doesn't allow women to do the 'long jump, hurdles or high jump'

Team USA's former and current female athletes have hit out at Nike's skimpy leotards after their kit for this summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games was revealed in Paris last week.

The garment grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard for track and field stars that barely covers the bikini line.

Images made public on Thursday of the women's kit on a mannequin, showing a very high-cut panty line, triggered criticism from several athletes for what they saw as a decision to prioritize skimpiness over function.

Sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson was among the USA athletes modelling the controversial outfits at a Nike event in Paris, where the games are due to be held.

U.S. middle-distance runner Athing Mu was also there. While Mu wore briefs, Richardson wore a version of the outfit with shorts.

'They are absolutely not made for performance,' U.S. steeplechaser Colleen Quigley said.

Hurdler Queen Harrison joked that the European Wax Center should become Team USA's sponsor because of how high the leotard runs. 

Retired track athlete Lauren Fleshman was fiercely critical on Instagram. She wrote: 'I'm sorry, but show me one WNBA or NWSL team who would enthusiastically support this kit. 

This is for Olympic Track and Field. Professional athletes should be able to compete without dedicating brain space to constant pube vigilance or the mental gymnastics of having every vulnerable piece of your body on display. 

'Women’s kits should be in service to performance, mentally and physically. If this outfit was truly beneficial to physical performance, men would wear it. This is not an elite athletic kit for track and field. 

'This is a costume born of patriarchal forces that are no longer welcome or needed to get eyes on women’s sports. I’m queer and I’m attracted to female bodies, but I don’t expect or enjoy seeing female athletes or male athletes put in a position to battle self-consciousness at their place of work. 

'That is not part of the job description. I lived that life and know that excellence is born of unselfconsciousness, of freedom and embodiment of action and instinct. Stop making it harder for half the population @nike @teamUSA @usatf.'

Even athletes from other countries such as Britain's Abigail Irozuru, who wondered on social media: 'Was ANY female athlete consulted in this team kit?!?' 

Katie Moon, the defending Olympic champion in the pole vault who is sponsored by Nike, offered the most impassioned defense of the company on social media. 

She began her post by saying the leotard shown on the mannequin 'was concerning, and warranted the response it received.'

But she said the women had at least 20 different combinations of uniforms to compete in, and can also choose the styles made for men.

'When you attack the buns and crop top saying something along the lines of it's "sexist" (which if that was our only choice, it would be), even if it´s with the best of intentions, you're ultimately attacking our decision as women to wear it,' she said.

She also posted pictures of herself trying on the kit, commenting: 'If this can help put women's minds at ease a bit…I tried on the same style today and didn't feel worried about…things…popping out. 

'I think it's just the mannequin. This felt like the last kit just a slightly higher cut. I know every body is different tho so just my take.' 

Nike said that it was offering athletes unitard options with both a brief and a short for this Olympics, whereas it only offered the brief for the Tokyo Olympics.

Executive John Hoke insisted the company worked 'directly with athletes throughout every stage of the design process.' 

The track and field kits for men and women include nearly 50 apparel pieces and 12 competition styles for specific events, the brand said when launching the outfits.

A spokesperson for USA Track & Field said: 'Athlete options and choices were the driving force for USATF in the planning process with Nike.'

Nike previously found itself at the center of another uniform debate.

Several Major League Baseball players complained about the fit of the new Nike Vapor Premier during spring training.

Nike has been designing MLB uniforms since 2020 and Fanatics has been manufacturing them since 2017, but this marked the first year for the Nike Vapor Premier jerseys.