I am requesting there be a change to the current Women’s Code of Points. Number 12 of Chapter 1 of Section 1, the Code of Points states that there is a .20 deduction from the average score for the following infraction: Incorrect Attire- 1. Acceptable attire is a one-piece leotard with or without sleeves and no bare midriff. 2. Unitards with long legs to the ankle, with or without sleeves are acceptable. Nowhere in this rule does it state that shorts are not allowed, however, we received a .20 deduction for wearing shorts at a USA Gymnastics sanctioned competition. I have had multiple young females start their menstrual cycle during competition and were required to compete in a leotard that only covers exactly 2¾ inches of the most private area of their body or take a .20 deduction. With a situation they cannot control and having a male coach I, like many of my colleagues, find this rule to be discriminatory and outdated. While many of the rules in the Code of Points were created to ensure safety, not allowing a pair of form fitted, matching shorts was not created to ensure safety. If anything, allowing young female athletes to compete in form fitted attire that they feel comfortable in would guarantee the safety of the athlete. If an athlete is uncomfortable, there can be no guarantee that they will be able to compete in a safe manner. In addition, many of the female athletes under USA Gymnastics are under the age of 18 and requiring minors to either wear full length pants or a 2¾ inch piece of fabric covering their private area is unacceptable. Why are full length pants allowed but shorts are not? If anything, full length pants could hinder a judge’s ability to see if knees are bent while shorts would not. I believe that shorts should be allowed as they are more comfortable than full length pants and they do not hinder a judges’ ability to score a routine. Since athletes are solely judged on their athletic performance and should not be discriminated against for their appearance, this rule needs to be changed.

Letter M of Section VI of Chapter 3 in the Men’s Code of Points states the following: 1. For Levels 6-10 on Pommel Horse, Still Rings, Parallel Bars and Horizontal Bar, all gymnasts must wear long solid colored competition pants and footwear…On Floor Exercise and Vaulting, gymnasts may compete in short pants with or without footwear 2. For Level 4-5, on all events, are only required to wear gymnastics short pants and team T-shirt. Competition long pants may be worn but are not required. Why is it that men gymnasts can wear shorts but women gymnasts cannot? Gender discrimination is unequal or disadvantageous treatment of an individual or group of individuals based on gender. Allowing male gymnasts to wear shorts but not allowing female gymnasts to is considered gender discrimination.

The Equality Act requires that trans people are treated as belonging to the sex in which they present unless there is evidence that they have an unfair advantage, or there is a risk to the safety of other participants…within USA Gymnastics guidelines trans people would not be permitted to wear shorts over a leotard however, there have been many instances where trans people were allowed to wear shorts in a USA Gymnastics sanctioned event and were not penalized for it. Under The Equality Act, all females should be treated as such and therefore should be allowed to wear shorts during competition. I am not requesting that female gymnasts be required to wear shorts, I would like that they have a choice with how much skin they choose to show. Wearing a piece of fabric that covers approximately 6 inches of the leg area should not, and does not, hinder the athletes athletic ability nor the ability for the judge to evaluate the routine.

In order to begin to change the sexual perception that is currently encompassing USA Gymnastics, I, like many others, agree that allowing our female athletes to wear attire they feel comfortable in while also staying within safety guidelines is a necessary step for change. No athlete, male or female, should feel uncomfortable while participating in USA Gymnastics sanctioned events. In conclusion, I am asking to change this rule to allow form-fitted shorts that match the leotard during competition. It is time that USA Gymnastics takes a step in the right direction to ensure the safety of their female athletes.