VOSS Sarah

General
FULL-BODY SUIT
She and fellow German gymnasts Kim Bui and Elisabeth Seitz wore full-body suits at the 2021 European Championships in Basel, Switzerland, instead of the standard leotard. The German Gymnastics Federation [DTB] supported the gymnasts and said the move was in opposition to "sexualisation" in the sport. "It does not say that everyone should do it, it just says that everyone can do whatever they want. For me, it doesn't say I have to wear a long leotard in the future every time. It depends on how I am feeling and how I'd like to perform. Every time you don't feel safe it's distracting you from what you want to perform. I think that feeling safe and not thinking about what other people can or cannot see is quite relieving when you can compete like that. Some girls quit this beautiful sport [because of having to wear leotards] so that is why this is a great option for everyone to stay in the sport they love and don't think about anything else about their body - just about their performance. We hope gymnasts uncomfortable in the usual outfits will feel emboldened to follow our example." (bbc.co.uk, 23 Apr 2021, 28 Apr 2021; Instagram profile, 22 Apr 2021; reuters.com, 22 Apr 2021; Deutscher Turner-Bund Twitter profile, 21 Apr 2021)