Olympics Ban Swim Cap Designed For Afro Hair

The Olympics and Swimming Federation have sparked outrage after banning swim caps designed for natural afro hair.

The caps were initially designed for natural Black hair by a Black-owned company called Soul Cap, however, they are banned from the Tokyo Olympics.

The International Swimming Federation (FINA), which is backed by the Olympic committee, denied the brands application to have the caps available for the games, citing the caps did not fit “the natural form of the head” and to from “best knowledge the athletes competing at the international events never used, neither require … caps of such size and configuration”.

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Danielle Obe of the Black Swimming Association, spoke to the Guardian and said the decision is part of ongoing inequality within the sport and Olympics.

“We believe that it confirms a lack of diversity in (the sport),” she said. “Aquatic swimming must do better.”

Current swim caps are primarily designed for caucasian hair and do not work for afro or other hairtypes.

“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,’”Obe added.

Obe also spoke about the lack of diversity and availability of these products for minorities.

“If I walked into my local health club, gym or leisure centre, could I readily pick up one of these (swim caps for afro hair)? No,” added Obe. “Can I walk into a general retail store like Asda, Tesco or Sports Direct and pick one up? No.”