Gymnastics New Zealand amends attire rules to allow shorts to be worn over leotards

Gymnastics New Zealand has revamped its attire rules to allow competitive gymnasts in all codes to wear shorts or leggings over their leotards.

The overhaul of the sport's attire regulations will also end the practice of athletes being penalised athletes for visible underwear and bra straps during competitions in the country.

The governing body advised that it had made the changes after a survey of competitive gymnasts, which garnered over 200 responses, which found the athletes wanted to “feel comfortable and safe” in the sport.

Explaining that the changes are about making athletes, the majority of whom are young females, feel comfortable and safe and ensuring the sport is fully inclusive, Gymnastics NZ Chief Executive, Andrea Nelson stated “we found the regulations around underwear were unclear and unevenly applied and, to be honest, a little archaic.

“We’re just making sure that wherever you are in the sport, you have the choice. So no one feels uncomfortable or excluded.”

The changes align with a research report released by Massey University's School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition which details national sport organisations (NSO) perspectives, decision-making processes, and directives on female athlete uniform designs.

The Massey University study, along with athlete consultation conducted by Gymnastics NZ, confirmed that body image was considered the greatest issue for New Zealand gymnasts when it came to sport uniform design.

However, the new rules only govern competitions in New Zealand as, for international events gymnasts are still governed by International ­Gymnastics Federation (FIG) rules which require females to wear “correct sportive non transparent leotard or unitard … which must be of elegant design”.

Female athletes can have anywhere from 0.30 to 1.00 points deducted from their final score for attire violations during individual or team routines.

Athletes have previously voiced concerns over gymnastic attire, with the German team choosing to wear full-body suits at the Tokyo Olympics as a stand against the sexualisation of women in sport.

Another 2021 study by Sport New Zealand on female teenagers revealed many were leaving sport and active recreation because they felt uncomfortable in some kit.

Nelson said that relaxing some of the regulations around attire might keep girls in sport and would at least bring the rules for females in line with those of males, who have long been able to wear shorts or trousers.

She added “gymnastics is a tough enough sport without having to stress about incurring a deduction because a judge can see your bra strap

"We had parents of young gymnasts come to us worried that they couldn't find a bra for their daughter that would provide adequate support that didn't have a visible strap. That sort of thing shouldn't be happening - so we've now made that very clear in the updated regulations.

"Obviously we've also addressed a gender equity issue - male gymnasts have been able to wear shorts or trousers, but until recently females haven't."

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