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The Current State of Undress at the Olympics: Yahoo Style Looks at Women’s Uniforms From the Skimpiest to the Most Covering

  • <p>Skimpy two-pieces come to mind when we think of women’s beach volleyball, but for the 2012 Olympics, the International Volleyball Federation <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/volleyball/9169429/London-2012-Olympics-female-beach-volleyball-players-permitted-to-wear-less-revealing-uniforms.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:finally allowed women;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">finally allowed women</a> to wear sleeves and longer bottoms. The group added the rules in order to be more culturally inclusive, and now women can <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/style/hijab-leggings-and-long-sleeves-wont-hinder-190328090.html" data-ylk="slk:even compete in hijabs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">even compete in hijabs</a> if they so please.</p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
    1/10

    LEAST: beach volleyball

    Skimpy two-pieces come to mind when we think of women’s beach volleyball, but for the 2012 Olympics, the International Volleyball Federation finally allowed women to wear sleeves and longer bottoms. The group added the rules in order to be more culturally inclusive, and now women can even compete in hijabs if they so please.

    (Photo: Getty Images)

  • <p>For women, midriff tops and short shorts or smaller bottoms are the look for most runners. In 2012, Nike unveiled its <a href="http://news.nike.com/news/track-field-nike-pro-turbospeed-uniforms-and-nike-zoom-spikes#/inline/7844" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Pro Turbospeed;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Pro Turbospeed</a> high-performance bodysuit, which has dimples that are supposed to make runners more aerodynamic. The skimpier uniforms are more popular still, though some runners wear arm cuffs, longer tops, or bodysuits for more covering. </p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
    2/10

    LEAST: Track and Field

    For women, midriff tops and short shorts or smaller bottoms are the look for most runners. In 2012, Nike unveiled its Pro Turbospeed high-performance bodysuit, which has dimples that are supposed to make runners more aerodynamic. The skimpier uniforms are more popular still, though some runners wear arm cuffs, longer tops, or bodysuits for more covering.

    (Photo: Getty Images)

  • <p>For women’s gymnastics, it’s all about the leotard. While artistic gymnastics uniforms can be also be flashy, rhythmic gymnastics uniforms have revealing flesh-toned panels, sparkles, and ruffles galore. </p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
    3/10

    LEAST: Gymnastics/ Rhythmic Gymnastics

    For women’s gymnastics, it’s all about the leotard. While artistic gymnastics uniforms can be also be flashy, rhythmic gymnastics uniforms have revealing flesh-toned panels, sparkles, and ruffles galore.

    (Photo: Getty Images)

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  • <p>Swimming and diving are naturally sports where you <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/style/look-back-116-years-olympic-184939333/photo-hungarian-alfr-d-haj-s-1470771630545.html" data-ylk="slk:don’t need that many clothes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">don’t need that many clothes</a>. After all, you don’t want bulky fabrics messing with your hydrodynamics. In the aughts, high-tech swimsuits gained popularity in swimming, as they were designed to make swimmers faster in the water, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/sports/25swim.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:but were banned because they made them a little too fast;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">but were banned because they made them a little <i>too</i> fast</a>. Now, there are more regulations as to how much of the body the swimsuit can cover to make things or fair. </p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
    4/10

    LEAST: Swimming/Diving

    Swimming and diving are naturally sports where you don’t need that many clothes. After all, you don’t want bulky fabrics messing with your hydrodynamics. In the aughts, high-tech swimsuits gained popularity in swimming, as they were designed to make swimmers faster in the water, but were banned because they made them a little too fast. Now, there are more regulations as to how much of the body the swimsuit can cover to make things or fair.

    (Photo: Getty Images)

  • <p>Basketball uniforms lie right in the middle with sleeveless jerseys and baggy medium-length shorts.</p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br><br></p>
    5/10

    IN BETWEEN: Basketball

    Basketball uniforms lie right in the middle with sleeveless jerseys and baggy medium-length shorts.

    (Photo: Getty Images)

  • <p>Boxing uniforms are also pretty in the middle, but the added headgear and, of course, gloves add another layer of dress to the sport.</p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p><p><br></p>
    6/10

    IN BETWEEN: Boxing

    Boxing uniforms are also pretty in the middle, but the added headgear and, of course, gloves add another layer of dress to the sport.

    (Photo: Getty Images)


  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Olympic fencers are covered from head to toe — mask and all. Fencers must gear up in order to protect themselves from the swords they use. You could poke someone’s eye out with those things!</p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
    7/10

    MOST: Fencing

    Olympic fencers are covered from head to toe — mask and all. Fencers must gear up in order to protect themselves from the swords they use. You could poke someone’s eye out with those things!

    (Photo: Getty Images)

  • <p>Long pants, long sleeves, and a mask keep BMX bikers at the top of their game.</p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
    8/10

    MOST: BMX Biking

    Long pants, long sleeves, and a mask keep BMX bikers at the top of their game.

    (Photo: Getty Images)

  • <p>Knee-high boots, a jacket, pants, shirt, gloves, and headgear keep equestrian riders looking prim and proper through it all. </p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
    9/10

    MOST: Equestrian

    Knee-high boots, a jacket, pants, shirt, gloves, and headgear keep equestrian riders looking prim and proper through it all.

    (Photo: Getty Images)

  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <p>Women who compete in Taekwondo wear a dobok underneath another protective layer. Headgear makes sure fighters are extra safe.</p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
    10/10

    MOST: Taekwondo

    Women who compete in Taekwondo wear a dobok underneath another protective layer. Headgear makes sure fighters are extra safe.

    (Photo: Getty Images)

<p>Skimpy two-pieces come to mind when we think of women’s beach volleyball, but for the 2012 Olympics, the International Volleyball Federation <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/volleyball/9169429/London-2012-Olympics-female-beach-volleyball-players-permitted-to-wear-less-revealing-uniforms.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:finally allowed women;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">finally allowed women</a> to wear sleeves and longer bottoms. The group added the rules in order to be more culturally inclusive, and now women can <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/style/hijab-leggings-and-long-sleeves-wont-hinder-190328090.html" data-ylk="slk:even compete in hijabs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">even compete in hijabs</a> if they so please.</p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
<p>For women, midriff tops and short shorts or smaller bottoms are the look for most runners. In 2012, Nike unveiled its <a href="http://news.nike.com/news/track-field-nike-pro-turbospeed-uniforms-and-nike-zoom-spikes#/inline/7844" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Pro Turbospeed;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Pro Turbospeed</a> high-performance bodysuit, which has dimples that are supposed to make runners more aerodynamic. The skimpier uniforms are more popular still, though some runners wear arm cuffs, longer tops, or bodysuits for more covering. </p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
<p>For women’s gymnastics, it’s all about the leotard. While artistic gymnastics uniforms can be also be flashy, rhythmic gymnastics uniforms have revealing flesh-toned panels, sparkles, and ruffles galore. </p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
<p>Swimming and diving are naturally sports where you <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/style/look-back-116-years-olympic-184939333/photo-hungarian-alfr-d-haj-s-1470771630545.html" data-ylk="slk:don’t need that many clothes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">don’t need that many clothes</a>. After all, you don’t want bulky fabrics messing with your hydrodynamics. In the aughts, high-tech swimsuits gained popularity in swimming, as they were designed to make swimmers faster in the water, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/sports/25swim.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:but were banned because they made them a little too fast;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">but were banned because they made them a little <i>too</i> fast</a>. Now, there are more regulations as to how much of the body the swimsuit can cover to make things or fair. </p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
<p>Basketball uniforms lie right in the middle with sleeveless jerseys and baggy medium-length shorts.</p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br><br></p>
<p>Boxing uniforms are also pretty in the middle, but the added headgear and, of course, gloves add another layer of dress to the sport.</p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p><p><br></p>
<p>Olympic fencers are covered from head to toe — mask and all. Fencers must gear up in order to protect themselves from the swords they use. You could poke someone’s eye out with those things!</p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
<p>Long pants, long sleeves, and a mask keep BMX bikers at the top of their game.</p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
<p>Knee-high boots, a jacket, pants, shirt, gloves, and headgear keep equestrian riders looking prim and proper through it all. </p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
<p>Women who compete in Taekwondo wear a dobok underneath another protective layer. Headgear makes sure fighters are extra safe.</p><p><i>(Photo: Getty Images)</i><br></p>
Jihan Forbes

The Olympics are in full swing, and while we’re enjoying the extraordinary athleticism, we’re also fashion people — you know we’re looking at the uniforms. And depending on the sport, some athletes wear more clothing than others, which makes sense — clothing, or the lack thereof, is all about making athletes more functional and efficient. 

Above, click through to see how much — or little — clothing female athletes have to wear to perform at their best.


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