The Olympics has a long and rich history, with athletes from all across the globe drawn to the games, the active wear attire has seen quite a few paradigm shifts. With the first official Olympic games being held as far back as 1896, there are a number of changes to the way the games are conducted today.
It’s interesting to note the key differences in gender-based active wear in the Olympics. Women have always been far more restricted than men and the most notable shifts of empowered women stems from the end of World War 1.
The advances in technology have also made vital contributions to modern active wear, with wearable tech complimenting active wear and allowing for a better overall workout experience.
An Active Generations Inception
Women were not allowed to participate in the 1896 Olympics. It was only in 1900 that women’s sports were introduced but at a light and moderate pace that was still tasteful. The stigma associated with sports was that it was a very masculine activity, so, for a women to participate was to question her entire femininity.
Sporting activities for women such as golf, tennis and yachting were introduced in 1900. Even though the activities were introduced women had no choice but to participate in their chosen activity with ankle length dresses that had high necks. They also had to wear high heels, which was restricting in comparison to the men’s active wear requirements that were minimalist and breezy short sleeved cotton shirt and shorts.
Even with all the restrictions and unfair stigmas associated with women in sports in 1900, it was the beginning of an era that would soon pave the way to a liberated women’s sports world, which has helped to shape male and female active wear through the ages.
Liberating Active Wear In The Olympics
World War 1 marked a dramatic mindset shift for women’s rights and their associated normal activities.
Women became more recognized for their physical capability through their valiant efforts in the war. This led to less restrictive active wear, not only in the Olympics but in the workplace too.
The liberation movement became apparent in the 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games where women were allowed to wear less restricting skirts and lower cut necklines. This more comfortable active wear for women was the beginning of a new era where women were liberated from oppressed norms and conventions. This trend continues and it’s starts the active wear movement that we currently have progressed to today.
Modern Active Wear
Modern Active Wear is something of a double whammy. It’s corporate and at the same time, it’s futuristic. Society has long moved passed restricting women or men from certain types of active wear.
What we have now is the battle between corporate companies like Reebok and Nike who constantly strive to be at the forefront of sports, just like horse racing betting sites.
The future of active wear is wearable tech like smart watches and Fitbit trackers.
Even with the advances in modern tech, which have seen more durable fabrics that enhance our activity through wind reduction and less sweating, the future of all active wear is in tech, which helps us accomplish training goals better.