Infrared-blocking garments adopted by Japanese Olympic athletes for an uneasy explanation
In the world of sports, athletes should be able to focus on their performances without the worry of non-consensual photography. This concern has been particularly prevalent in Japan, where incidents of sexualizing women in sports have been on the rise.
To combat this issue, companies like Nike and Mizuno have been working diligently to develop a special type of fabric that can stop thermal cameras from revealing athletes' bodies. This fabric, similar to stealth aircraft that avoid radars and detectors, absorbs infrared light, making it difficult for infrared cameras to capture images of the athletes' bodies or their undergarments.
This innovative material made its debut at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where some Japanese athletes will wear outfits made from this fabric. Mei Kodama, a Japanese athlete who participated in the 4×100-meter race at the Tokyo Games in 2021, reportedly tested an outfit made from this fabric and found it more comfortable than expected.
The purpose of this material is to prevent nonconsensual photography of female athletes, a problem that has been a concern in Japan for quite some time. In 2021, a man was arrested for taking infrared photos of a female volleyball player and selling the images. Another man was arrested for filming the lower bodies of female runners in Kyoto the same year.
Athletes and sports committees have been pushing for more modest uniforms, with female teams increasingly demanding to wear shorts instead of more revealing clothing. However, some committees have been resistant to these changes.
In Norway, the beach handball team was fined for wearing shorts instead of bikinis. In response, Japanese gymnast Aiko Sugihara started a company that produces a leotard that covers more of athletes' bodies.
To further address the issue, Japan passed a law making it a criminal offense to explicitly photograph anyone without consent, punishable by three years' imprisonment. Cameras in Japan are also required to make a shutter sound to prevent hidden, invasive photos.
Despite absorbing infrared light, the new fabric is designed to not hinder athletes in any way. In experiments, a printed black "C" under a layer of the new fabric becomes almost invisible when viewed with an infrared camera. This ensures that athletes remain cool and comfortable while wearing the outfits.
The introduction of this innovative fabric marks a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and comfort of female athletes, allowing them to focus on their performances without the added worry of non-consensual photography.
