SCANT ATTIRE FOR GIRL ATHLETES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19268, 3 January 1931, Page 6

SCANT ATTIRE FOR GIRL ATHLETES.

ONE-INCH SLEEVES AND SHORTS ARE NEW VOGUE.

Women athletes are to wear a, little less. This is the gist of a proposal which was carried unanimously at the annual general meeting of the British Women’s Amateur Athletic Association : “ That every competitor shall wear a loose tunic or blouse having sleeves at least one inch long. Dark shorts shall be worn, reaching at least half-way down the thigh to the knee.” For the first time in the history of the association the dress regulations have been altered. Until recently the rule has been: “ Sleeves to the elbow and shorts to within four inches of the knee.”

The new dress rule was passed in spite of the wishes of the chairman. Lord Decies, who thought that the old regulations should remain unaltered. After the meeting Lord Decies gave his personal opinion on the matter of women athletes’ dress to a “ Sunday Dispatch ” reporter. “ I think it is a great mistake to alter the old ruling,” he said. “ Personally I think the limbs should be covered, and while I would not go so far as to say that the shorter shorts and bare arms are indecent, I think the elbow sleeves and knee-length shorts are in better taste. Far too many times have I heard people remarking on the ‘ horrible and untidy ’ appearance of our sports girls. Many people resent the brief clothing of the athlete.”

The sports girls themselves are frankly delighted with the new dress regulations. Miss Rose Thompson, the ex-inter-national champion for the 100 yards, said that in the past girls were continuously being warned off for breaches of the rules regarding dress. “ Elbow sleeves are so untidy,” she declared. “Of course they make no difference to running, but bare arms are far more attractive and comfortable.”

Mrs Kathleen Hayward, captain of the London Olvmpiades A.C., said that until now foreign teams had been much neater.

“ Our costumes were ugly. Instead of the bulky elastic-tied shorts, we are adopting attractive shaped garments.”