Miss Teen USA gets rid of swimsuit competition
Miss Teen USA is moving away from bikinis and embracing sports bras and yoga pants instead.
The pageant announced that it will eliminate the swimsuit portion of its competition and replace it with an athletic wear segment instead, according to its site.
It says on the Miss Universe site, "The swimsuit portion has always been a staple of the competitions, both big and small. But in a society that increasingly prioritizes feminism and equality, watching women parade across a stage in bikinis can feel outdated."
The organization explained that this will allow competitors to show off their athleticism in way that focuses more on fitness than sexuality.
"I have been an athlete my entire life. As a member of a softball team and a competitive dance team, I spend a lot of time in athletic wear," Katherine Haik, the reigning Miss Teen USA, told USA Today. "This new direction for Miss Teen USA is a great way to celebrate the active lives that so many young women lead and set a strong example for our peers."
