The internet exploded recently after images emerged of the Colombian women’s national cycling team wearing a ‘nude’ kit that was catastrophically designed.
The Colombians are not the only team that favour this particular scheme though – as you can see in this photo from ProTour team Footon-Servetto-Fuji in 2010. Someone needs to have some serious words with this designer…
You can check out the kits side to side in this tweet from @Ultimo_km, an account defending the Colombian kit. The tweet translates as:
‘For those who cannot see beyond a design. It’s cycling, not fashion.’ They’ve then finished off the tweet by hash-tagging #femalecycling and #national pride.
Para quienes no pueden ver más allá de un diseño.Es ciclismo,no es moda #CiclismoFemenino #OrgulloNacional @BiciGoga pic.twitter.com/gEvYExCBfX
— ÚltimoKilómetro (@Ultimo_km1) September 14, 2014
We appreciate that function comes before form in cycling kit design – hence the lycra – but is it really necessary to draw all attention to that particular region of the rider? Of course it’s not.
In fact, UCI president Brian Cookson responded to the recent outbreak by stating:
To the many who have raised the issue of a certain women’s team kit, we are on the case. It is unacceptable by any standard of decency.
— Brian Cookson OBE (@BrianCooksonUCI) September 14, 2014
The governing body of the sport followed up with an official statement, which said: “The UCI will be sending a letter to the Colombian Federation reminding them of their responsibility regarding article 1.3.046 in the control of regional and club team kits that compete in international events.”
Article 1.3.046 is a clause that notes how each team taking part in any race in the international calendar must “notify the details of their clothing to their national federation specifying in detail the colours and their arrangement.”
So, the Colombians apparently failed to tell the UCI that they would be riding in outfits that made them look semi-naked this year. Rookie mistake.
The outcry is despite the fact that Colombian media suggests the kit was designed by one of the female riders and approved by her teammates. Either way though, they are anything but photogenic.
Stay tuned to the site for any further developments…
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