Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Germany’s Women’s Gymnastics Team Wore Full-Body Leotards to Protest Sexualization

The German women's gymnastics team changed things up during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with their leotards, a move that comes in an effort to reduce the "sexualization" of the sport.

As noted by CNN, the team chose to wear outfits with long sleeves and ankle-length pants to the women's qualifier competition, which took place in Tokyo on Sunday, July 25. The team performed their routines in unitards with burgundy pants and cutout details at the ankles. Traditionally, gymnasts compete in bikini-cut leotards with long or half sleeves, or go sleeveless. The 2020 Olympics wasn't the first time they've worn the suits instead of gymnastics leotards, the team also wore them in April. According to the German Gymnastics Federation, the switch from leotards to full unitards was a nod against "sexualization in gymnastics."

The team's new outfits were meant to "present [themselves] aesthetically — without feeling uncomfortable." The team members were instrumental in making the change to the unitard look. "It's about what feels comfortable," said gymnast Elisabeth Seitz, per CNN. "We wanted to show that every woman, everybody, should decide what to wear." The switch-up was readily accepted by the team's coaches. "We girls had a big influence on this," said her teammate Sarah Voss. "The coaches were also very much into it. They said they want us to feel the most confident and comfortable in any case. It just makes you feel better and more comfortable."

Reuters also reports that Voss also shared that the new outfit was meant to empower other gymnasts to choose what they feel comfortable in when competing. "As you are growing up as a woman, it is quite difficult to get used to your new body in a way," she said. "We want to make sure everyone feels comfortable and we show everyone that they can wear whatever they want and look amazing, feel amazing, whether it is in a long leotard or a short one."

Seitz hopes that the German team's stance would spark a change across other gymnastics teams. "Most people were positive about it. But after the European championships the time was way too short for others to design a unitard," she said. "Maybe in the future." She added that the team could return to the traditional leotard from time to time. "It is a decision day by day, based on how we feel and what we want. On competition day, we will decide what to wear."

So far, their competitors are fans of the new direction. "I think it's really cool that they have the guts to stand on such a huge arena and show girls from all over the world that you can wear whatever you want," Norwegian gymnast Julie Erichsen said. "I applaud them for that."

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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue