Athletes not permitted to wear swimming caps designed for nature hair at the Olympic Games

Tokyo- Athletes are banned from wearing a particular swimming cap, which protects individuals with nature hair.

Earlier this week, a black owned swim gear brand was denied with having their products approved by the Federation for International Competitions, because they did not meet the requirements. From FINA's perspective, athletes never required or used such swim caps to protect their hair.

In response to what Fina stated, the representatives of Soul Cap released this statement on social media and wanted the world to know that the FINA needs to understand that other cultures with nature hair are competing as well. "We hoped to further our work for diversity in swimming by having our swim caps certified for competition, so swimmers at any level don't have to choose between the sport they love and their hair," said co-founders Toks Ahmed and Michael Chapman.

"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."