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Miss Teen USA Replaces Swimwear With Sports Bras

In late June, Miss Teen USA announced that its 2016 pageant — taking place on July 30 in Las Vegas — would be the first to nix the controversial swimsuit portion of the competition. In its place will be an athletic wear competition, during which each teen will sport workout gear corresponding to the state she represents. And now, we’ve got our first peek at some of the outfits.

Created in collaboration with sportswear brand Tapout and designer Goldsheep, the looks consist of a racerback sports bra top and matching leggings. As E! reports, Tapout is also the official fitness and training partner of the WWE — and, fittingly, WWE superstar Eva Marie will be a judge at this year’s Miss Teen USA pageant.

“This decision [to swap workout clothes for swimsuits] reflects an important cultural shift we’re all celebrating that empowers women who lead active, purposeful lives and encourage those in their communities to do the same,” Miss Universe president Paula Shugart told USA Today back in June. “Our hope is that this decision will help all of Miss Teen USA’s fans recognize these young women for the strong, inspiring individuals they are.”

So far, we’ve only seen the athletic wear for Miss Kansas (black with sunflowers, the state flower) and Miss California (a coastal sunset scene with palm trees that would make the Beach Boys proud). Now we’re left wondering what’ll be on the other competitors’ getups: Bagels and Lady Liberty for New York? Marijuana (now that it’s legal) and mountains for Colorado? Images of someone sipping sweet tea (or whiskey) on the porch for Tennessee? Cans of Narragansett and Instagram pics from Taylor Swift’s annual Fourth of July party for Rhode Island? That would be spectacular.

But we have to wonder: Is it really any better to pit girls — some as young as 15 years old — against each other based on how they look in sports bras and second-skin leggings? We’ll have to wait and see how much athleticism actually plays into the new segment during the webcast this Saturday.

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