Photos show German gymnasts in full bodysuits at the Tokyo Olympics in protest of sexualization of the sport

• German gymnasts wore full bodysuits during their qualification at the Tokyo Olympics.
• The move comes in protest against the sexualization of the sport and the wearing of leotards.
• Female athletes are increasingly taking a stand against unfair and sexist uniform rules.
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German gymnasts continued their stand against the sexualization of their sport by wearing full bodysuits during the Tokyo Olympics.

Germany's women's gymnastics team had announced last week that they would wear the bodysuits at the games, and did so Sunday, doing so in a stand they say is to make younger athletes more comfortable not wearing the revealing leotards that are normal in gymnastic competitions.

Competitors are traditionally dressed in leotards and previously full bodysuits had only been worn by those doing so for religious reasons.

Photos show the gymnasts in the matching red, white black and tan colored outfits.

The protest first started in April when German gymnast Sarah Voss wore a similar suit at the European Artistic Gymnastic Championships.

Speaking to the BBC after that event, the 21-year-old said she wanted young gymnasts to feel safe.

"It does not say that everyone should do it, it just says that everyone can do whatever they want.

"If they feel safe they can wear a normal leotard if they like it. If there is a certain point they think they would feel better in a long leotard, then they should do it.

On Sunday, Voss and her teammates Pauline Schaefer-Betz, Elisabeth Seitz and Kim Bui all wore the suits. The team

"For me, it doesn't say I have to wear a long leotard in the future every time. It depends on how I am feeling and how I'd like to perform.

"Every time you don't feel safe it's distracting you from what you want to perform. I think that feeling safe and not thinking about what other people can or cannot see is quite relieving when you can compete like that.

"Some girls quit this beautiful sport so that is why this is a great option for everyone to stay in the sport they love and don't think about anything else about their body, just about their performance," said Voss.

Clothing becoming a hot topic at Olympics and Paralympics

Earlier this month, British two-time paralympic world champion Olivia Breen said she was told her competition briefs were "too short and inappropriate."

Positing on Twitter, Breen said she was "disappointed" and questioned whether a male competitor would be "similarly criticised."

-oliviabreen (@BreenOlivia) July 18, 2021

On the same day, Norwegian women's beach-handball team was fined for wearing shorts instead of bikini bottoms during a game.