“I assume about how unique the moments are, in particular the Olympic Games, with it only staying the moment every 4 years, and how they are likely to truly feel,” stated Annie Heffernon, vice president of the women’s application at United states of america Gymnastics, instructed the Washington Publish. “Regardless of their functionality, I want them to come to feel incredible and beautiful when they go out and symbolize the U.S. in a leotard that they can be very pleased of.”

Developed and created by Reading through, Pennsylvania-based mostly attire business GK Elite, the leotards have up to 10,000 crystals applied in intricate designs to custom made cloth. The red, white, and blue colour scheme is an clear nod to the competitors’ nationality, but the ornate sample of the crystals—as very well as the unmistakable glow emanating from them—is a nod to Paris’ nickname of the Metropolis of Lights. The dazzling layouts stick to a conference of Olympic gymnasts donning by themselves with ornamented uniforms, a pattern that has amplified in depth considering the fact that 2008 when gold medalist Nastia Liukin’s leotard experienced only 184 crystals on it.

The uniforms may be visually tricky to pass up, but it is the athletes who have garnered spectators’ consideration. A peak of 8.2 million viewers watched gymnast Simone Biles secure her location in the U.S. Olympic gymnastics workforce very last month, amongst the greatest ratings of this year’s U.S. trials. With seven Olympic medals, Biles has helped catapult herself and gymnastics into American common tradition.

All that glitters is gold

The U.S. gymnasts have expressed exhilaration about their leotards, but the Olympic uniforms, embellished with jewels and patterns, are also stitched in with controversy some women’s outfits have drawn scrutiny for remaining too revealing at the price of an athlete’s comfort and ease and functionality. U.S. nationwide champion length runner Lauren Fleshman stated the women’s keep track of uniforms—with large bikini traces that deviated from the shorts of the men’s kit—was a reflection of sports’ “betrayal of women’s bodies.”

“If this outfit was definitely valuable to physical efficiency, guys would wear it,” she stated on Instagram.

United states Gymnastics, the countrywide governing system of the activity, explained to Fortune athletes have the selection, for each global polices, to use prolonged leggings as section of their package. As a substitute, gymnasts choose to dress in the classic leotard.

“We are billed to produce this beautiful intersection of fashion and activity and the Crew United states of america leotard signifies that at its pinnacle,” GK Elite CEO Matt Cowan instructed the Los Angeles Instances. “But in the long run they’re there to conduct. They’re there to gain gold medals.”

In truth, beyond stunning viewers, the elaborate leotards have instilled self esteem in athletes. During the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, U.S. gymnasts called 1 leotard “our blessed leo” because just about every athlete who wore the design earned a medal. 

As the garment has grown in level of popularity among competition, gymnasts have customized the shades and styles of the clothes to their individual tastes and draw inspiration from the wardrobe of superstars like Beyoncé. In an marketplace the place athletes generally make extra in endorsements and brand offers than they do in winnings (Biles’ $7.1 million 2023 earnings is made up of a $100,000 income furthermore $7 million in endorsements), setting up a recognizable model is a important part of getting a specialist athlete. 

“What Simone has with us is our equal of a Jordan brand name,” Cowan claimed. “Simone has her signature selection that is influenced by her performances, her likes, her aesthetic, her innovation. She really can convey a item that is catered and agent of her to the neighborhood.”