DLNews Sports:

As Paris gears up for the grand spectacle of the Olympic Games, the buzz isn't just around who will snag the gold but also about who's been handed the short end of the sartorial stick. Enter stage left: Nike's latest ensemble for the USA’s track and field teams, a creation that has tongues wagging and athletes cringing.

Nike presents the USA's track and field equipment; a women's dress is particularly causing a stir.

For the men, Nike has rolled out royal blue shorts that dare to bare mid-thigh, accompanied by a red and blue tank that screams "USA!" with all the subtlety of a Fourth of July fireworks display. The skin-tight fit? That's just Nike being Nike, ensuring every muscle twitch and vein pop is visible to the naked eye. Because, you know, aerodynamics.

Now, let’s paint the town pink—because that’s literally what Nike did with the women’s outfits. A striking bright pink bodysuit that stops shy of being scandalous cut so high it could make a high jumper blush. This number is completed with a “deep zipper” that dives down to the depths of, well, let’s say it’s a cleavage cleaver.

The Nike women's dress for the 2024 Olympic Games has been heavily criticized.

Cue the outrage. Track and field veteran Laura Fleshman didn’t mince words when she remarked, “Women’s jerseys should serve mental and physical performance. If this outfit were truly beneficial for physical performance, men would wear it.” Touché, Laura. Touché.

Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku added her voice to the chorus, wondering aloud if this fashion choice was some cruel joke. “I’m a mother; I can’t expose myself like that,” she stated, echoing the sentiments of many who find themselves more exposed than empowered.

Sure, Nike offers a more conservative option, akin to the men's gear, but as Fleshman argues, the principle of the matter stands tall. Why offer something so controversial in the first place? Respect is vital; some athletes feel this design should have included the memo.

With the Olympic and Paralympic Games fast approaching—kicking off on July 26 and September 8, respectively—the clock is ticking for Nike to rethink their "bold" choice possibly. Until then, athletes and fans wonder whether this wardrobe malfunction was a stroke of misguided genius or just plain misguided.

In the meantime, Nike remains as tight-lipped as its outfits, leaving us all in suspense. Will they stick to their guns, or will public opinion cause a wardrobe rethink? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: this year’s games won’t just be a test of physical stamina but fashion tolerance, too.