"Even if I know someone is secretly taking photos..." Female track and field athlete insists on 'ultra-mini uniform' — the reason: "I never wear it during practice." Why? [Aichi Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

As the track and field events of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games kicked off, an interview with a former Japanese national team athlete addressing questions about female athletes' uniforms drew attention.

On the 24th, Japan's "D-Answer" reported on an interview with Kanawa Ichikawa, a former Japanese national sprinter, explaining why female track and field athletes wear two-piece (separate) uniforms.

According to Ichikawa, until the 1990s, female athletes primarily wore running shirts and running pants. However, starting from the 2000 Sydney Olympics, brands began introducing two-piece styles consisting of running bras and shorts, marking a shift in uniform trends.

Regarding why two-piece uniforms became widespread, Ichikawa cited improved mobility and lightness. She stated, "Since the top and bottom are not connected, there is less pulling sensation on the fabric during movement, making it feel lighter." She also noted that fashion trends likely contributed to the spread of two-piece designs. Additionally, she added that short shorts allow for easier leg movement.

Ichikawa, who first encountered two-piece uniforms in high school, revealed that she preferred the lightweight and non-bulky design to achieve her fastest times. However, she admitted that she did not wear two-piece uniforms during training sessions. She acknowledged, "Given the significant amount of body exposure, some athletes may feel uncomfortable about being photographed." It is understood that competition uniforms are selected directly by athletes from options provided by their sponsors, based on what they are most accustomed to wearing.

Born in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture in 1991, Kanawa Ichikawa began track and field in middle school, attended Chukyo University, and joined Mizuno in 2013. She competed at major international events including the 2012 London Olympics, the 2011 Daegu and 2015 Beijing World Championships, and the 2014 Incheon and 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. In 2017, she won both the 100m and 200m titles at the Japanese National Championships.

After retiring from active competition in 2021, she married Shinya Sibu, a track and field coach, the following year. She is currently raising her three-year-old daughter while working as a coach at Chukyo University and serving as an ambassador for the Mizuno brand.

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*This content was translated by AI.