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Ruling By FINA Against Allowing Swimming Caps For Natural Black Hair In The Olympic Games Now Under Review

July 07, 2021

Great Britain Swimmer, Alice Dearing, hoped to continue partnership with Soul Cap, a swimwear brand that specializes in creating extra-large swimming caps created to protect thick and curly hair, dreadlocks, weaves and braids, during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

The inclusive brand was created in 2017 when co-founders Toks Ahmed and Michael Champman began providing adult swimming lessons. They then met a woman with Afro hair who was noticeably having difficulty with the size of her swim cap. The duo found an untapped industry and soon grew immensely to the point of collaborating with Olympic athletes.

However, the caps were denied from use in Olympic aquatic competitions. According to International Swimming Federation (FINA), which is the governing group over aquatic sports, "elite athletes ‘don’t require caps of such size". 

Soul Cap issued a statement via Twitter following the ruling to its supporters saying, "A huge thanks to all who have supported us and our work so far. We don’t see this as a set back, but a chance to open up a dialogue to make a bigger difference in aquatics."

 

 

 

 

After receiving serious backlash, FINA has decided to review their decision. They released a statement saying, “FINA is committed to ensuring that all aquatics athletes have access to appropriate swimwear for competition where this swimwear does not confer a competitive advantage."

“FINA is currently reviewing the situation with regards to Soul Cap and similar products, understanding the importance of inclusivity and representation.” they announced Monday.

In the words of Twitter users, "I guess bullying works". Check out a few of the tweets that served as the push for the reconsideration of FINA's seemingly unfair ruling.

  

 

   

 

It's safe to say we are all interested to see what the final verdict of FINA's review will be. What are your thoughts on this matter? Is the organization looking out for the integrity of the Olympics games or is this ruling stemming from an anti-black mentality.

 

Written by Precious Onukwuli

Sources:

The Guardian

 

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1 Response

melonye burns-clay
melonye burns-clay

July 14, 2021

Wait what swim caps has been used for years I’m a black female and I have very thick long hair it was always a problem for me to get all of my hair under the cap I had to wear a stocking cap to hold my hair down and then the swim cap needless to say my hair always got wet and black hair is totally different than white hair the care and the routine of a black woman on a daily basis is alot. To be told you can’t wear a certain type of swim cap is the most ridiculous thing ever it’s a swim cap people not some type of secret hidden power cap lol like on James bond lol .black swimmer’s male and female has the right to protect their hair all of that talking about the form of the hat to the head well black people’s hair don’t lay flat like white people. If it works they should be able to use it. THIS IS AMERICA JACK quit with the comy type attitude. That is part of the problem everyone wants to dictate what a person can and can’t do again THIS IS AMERICA LAND OF THE FREE.ELE

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