Let them wear pink: An open letter to Olympics pundits

Mary Lou Retton, 1984

Dear sports geeks, commentators, politicians, gym rats and couch potatoes alike:

It doesn’t matter what colors the Olympians wear.

You’ve probably seen or read the “backlash” against 16-year-old American medalist Gabby Douglas, who wore—gasp! A pink leotard in her last Olympic appearance.

“It’s not patriotic!”

Excuse me, y’all. Gabby had already competed several times, wearing blue, red, and a whole pile of crystals. By the time she appeared in pink, she was surely a household name. Plus, she was competing individually, not with her team. So, let her wear pink.

Did anyone complain when swimmer Rebecca Soni wore a hot-pink suit as part of the U.S. women’s swim team?

Rebecca Soni

I don’t think so. And not that it mattered much, since those swimmers are so fast in the water you barely see their suits (which are mostly boring black).

You might argue that Olympic athletes should always wear their nations’ colors, and I won’t argue that an attractive color scheme is a nice addition to the proceedings. But look at Mary Lou at the top of this post. I wouldn’t say the American flag motif is that flattering, would you?

And what about our super-patriotic medal-receiving track suits?

Gabby Douglas on the podium. 

Don’t our athletes look so American in our steel-gray windbreakers, black pants, and neon sneakers? It just screams “USA,” right?

I didn’t think so. (Those Russian jackets are even worse, but that’s for a different battle.)

In order to make it to the Olympics, athletes train relentlessly and are pressured to operate not as ordinary humans, but as perfect machines. Opportunities to display personal style at the Olympics should be embraced. Uniform colors aren’t likely to make or break athletes’ performances.

Bring on the pink, Olympians. And the red, white, and blue. And even the neon green.

Go, Gabby!