Olivia Breen.Photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Olivia Breenis speaking out after she was allegedly told her competition sprint shorts “were too short and inappropriate” at the English Championships.
The 24-year-old Paralympian, who competes as a sprinter and long jumper, vented on Twitter Sunday about the incident that left her “speechless.”
Acknowledging that while she is “always very grateful for the incredible volunteers who officiate at athletic events,” as they “do an amazing job and make it possible for us to compete,” Breen said she felt “disappointed because just as I finished my long jump competition at the English Championships, one of the female officials felt it necessary to inform methat my sprint briefs were too short and inappropriate.”
“I was left speechless,” she said.
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According to the Welsh athlete — who also posted a photo of her outfit onInstagram— she has “been wearing the same sprint style briefs for many years and they are specifically designed for competing in.”
“I will hopefully be wearing them in Tokyo. It made me question whether a male competitor would be similarly criticized,” she continued. “I hope no otherfemale athletes had similar issues.”
Responding to her claims in a statement toThe Guardian, a spokesperson for England Athletics said “We are aware of the post and will be investigating as a matter of urgency. The wellbeing of all participants in athletics is of the utmost importance and everyone should feel comfortable to compete and participate in the sport.”
Olivia Breen.S Bardens - British Athletics/British Athletics via Getty Images
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In aninterview with CNN, Breen said that the incident “just made me angry” and that if she had been a teenager, “it would make me burst into tears.”
“They need to treat us with respect and not make us feel like rubbish,” the athlete added of officials.
In related style headlines, the European Handball Federation (EHF)announced Mondaythat the Norwegian women’s national beach handball team would be fined $1,770, or $170 a player, after athletes wore shorts instead of bikini bottoms in the bronze medal game against Spain the day prior.
Norwegian Handball Federation
The team’s chosen attire for the European championships was “not according to the Athlete Uniform Regulations defined in the IHF Beach Handball Rules of the Game,” the EHF said.
“I hope we get a breakthrough for this and that next summer we play in what we want,” Haltvik said.
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Tokyo Olympics beginning July 23rd and the Tokyo Paralympics beginning August 24th on NBC.
source: people.com
