What is a Soul Cap and why was the swim cap banned from the Olympics?
THE International Swimming Federation has strict rules about swimming caps for the Olympics.
The organization will not allow Soul Caps in any of the swimming competitions, they announced on July 2, 2021.
What is a Soul Cap and why was the swim cap banned from the Olympics?
Soul Caps are special swimming caps designed to cover natural black hair while in the pool.
The company paired up with Alice Dearing, the first black female swimmer to represent Team Great Britain at the Olympics but she will not be allowed to use the cap.
The caps were banned by the federation because they claim they do not fit “the natural form of the head” and to their “best knowledge the athletes competing at the international events never used, neither require … caps of such size and configuration.”
What did people say about the Soul Cap ban?
Danielle Obe, the founding member of the Black Swimming Association, spoke to the Guardian about the federation’s decision to ban the caps, saying: “We believe that it confirms a lack of diversity in (the sport).
“Aquatic swimming must do better.”
Obe also claims that the original Speedo50 caps do not work for afro hair, which “grows up and defies gravity.”
She said: “We need the space and the volume which products like the Soul Caps allow for. Inclusivity is realising that no one head shape is ‘normal’.”
Adding: “If I walked into my local health club, gym or leisure center, could I readily pick up one of these (swim caps for afro hair)? No.
“Can I walk into a general retail store like Asda, Tesco or Sports Direct and pick one up? No.”
Similarly, the founders of Soul Cap, Toks Ahmed and Michael Chapman, also shared their opinion on the federation’s decision and released a statement on Instagram.
They said: “For younger swimmers, feeling included and seeing yourself in a sport at a young age is crucial. Fina’s recent dismissal could discourage many younger athletes from pursuing the sport as they progress through local, county and national competitive swimming.
Ahmed and Chapman said they feared swimmers would have to “choose between the sport they love and their hair.”
When are the Tokyo Olympics?
The games were originally supposed to take place between July 24 and August 9, 2020.
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But because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Tokyo Olympics were postponed for the first time in history.
They will now take place this summer, between July 23 and August 8.
Domestic spectators will be allowed to attend the games but there will be a 10,000 persons limit.
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