Senni Salminen and Wilma Murto

Kristiina Mäkelä brought up how athletes are photographed and watched at the games. PASI LEISMA

When the triple jumper Kristiina Mäkelä wondered a few weeks ago about the angles of the athletics world championships and the filming of the legs, the argument “put more on” came up several times on social media.

It would be possible to wear longer pants in the games. Mäkelä’s colleague Senni Salminen however, I think the discussion is skewed.

– So that it depends on that (adding more clothes), and not on who is watching and in what way. It could be thought about more often, and not what someone is wearing. You could think about how those around you will react to it, Salminen states.

The athlete chooses a competition outfit that is pleasing to their own eyes and best suits the performance.

Mäkelä told Iltalehti last summer that practicality is important.

– I prefer the one that is least in the way and feels the most comfortable. The outfits are not made to order for us, but they come according to certain models. It’s a big challenge for me to find the right ones, as I’m not usually a size chart person. I would hope that different manufacturers would make more options, Mäkelä stated.

The outfits of the Finnish national athletics team are made by Craft.

The collection has 5–7 top options. The pants come in several sizes. The athlete can choose to use a panty-like brief bottom, shorts that reach the upper thigh or knee height, leggy shorts and full-length leotards.

Men and women have their own options.

– The athlete can choose what he likes, even though there are sport-specific differences. Throwing sports are different from, say, running sports, Craftin Jussi Lehmusvirta tells.

– If an athlete feels that a brief is the best option for jumping, because it is in the way as little as possible, they don’t want to compromise on it. It doesn’t matter if you want more coverage.

CEO of the Sports Association Harry Aalton athletes are allowed to tick off the list in advance, which competition outfits will be ordered for them. The most popular are various leotards and bikini-style pants.

There are t-shirts and sleeveless shirts for men. A top is also available for women.

– You don’t have to wear the same outfit in any name. We want to respect the views of athletes. There is even a full suit for men.

One size fits all

Pole vaulter Wilma Murto often wears short briefs and a top in competitions. He has been satisfied with the national team’s outfit selection.

– I choose clothes that I don’t have to worry about or fix in the middle of the race. It depends on the athlete and the body, which fits best. I’ve had a really good time in these.

– Sometimes I wonder why certain clothes have to be so small. It’s a sport culture, but it’s also good to question it.

Senni Salminen prefers briefs or shorts as pants. Style is important to him.

– If someone would make a great one-piece outfit with great patterns, I’m ready. Nothing revealing, but colorful and stylish. If anyone wants to do one, I can rock one. It would be nice if the athlete could design the outfit.

Murto is on the same lines. There is no overall for women yet.

– It doesn’t matter if a full-length jumpsuit is included in the selection.

Wishes are listened to

The sports association asks its athletes for feedback on competition uniforms. According to Craft’s Lehmusvirta, the comments have been mostly positive.

Athletes also have the opportunity to make an impact.

– There haven’t been any whispers that a product needed by the athletes is missing. If there are wishes, we strive to fulfill them. There is very little that we would not be able to arrange.

Murto and Salminen hope that all athletes can find an alternative to their competition outfits that they are comfortable in.

– Everyone should have the opportunity to compete in the outfit they are most comfortable in. And not under pressure or to please anyone’s eyes, says Salminen.