Meme-worthy swimsuits by Arno Kamminga steal the show during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Arno Kamminga of the Netherlands made waves during the Men’s 100m Breaststroke event not only with his performance but also with his iconic swim trunks, providing another spectacle from the Paris 2024 Olympics. Kamminga, who competed on the opening day of swimming, came in second but attracted attention with his striking swimsuit.
The 28-year-old athlete gave the impression that he was nearly nude by donning a pair of form-fitting trunks with an orange graphic on the thighs that resembled flesh. On July 27, 2024, in Nanterre, France, at the Paris La Defense Arena, this audacious fashion decision went viral.
On social media, the trunks instantly gained a lot of attention. On X (previously Twitter), a user made the amusing comment, “Definitely watching for the sport,” while another merely questioned the name. A separate comment said, “PUBLIC? IS THIS PERMITTED?
Olympic swimmers have historically shaved their bodies in an effort to reduce skin exposure and increase speed. The “bodysuit revolution” began in 1996 when full-body suits like Speedo’s Aquablade were shown at the Atlanta Games. Full-body suits were widely used by the 2000 Sydney Olympics, which sparked discussions regarding their possible advantages for improved performance. These suits gained widespread use because the World Aquatics regulatory body permitted their use. The compressive, water-repellent fabric of Speedo’s LZR Racer, which was introduced during the 2008 Beijing Games, greatly reduced drag.
Kamminga posted on Instagram with the broken heart emoji and the words “Not what I came for,” expressing displeasure with his performance despite his creative swimwear and a strong timing of 59.12 seconds in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke.
The Katwijk native Kamminga also talked about the recent doping scandal involving 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for the drug trimetazidine. Although the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) acknowledged the results, it blamed contamination for the positive test results. “Everyone is questioning it, so it’s a lose-lose situation for everyone – for swimming lovers but also for the Chinese swimmers themselves,” Kamminga told Reuters in response to queries about the lack of openness.
Although Kamminga’s trunks generated attention and laughter, other Olympic clothing has come under fire. Nike’s release of Team USA’s track and field jerseys caused a stir due to its provocative style. Former US world champion runner Lauren Fleshman questioned the outfits on Instagram, saying that performance should take precedence over style in women’s sportswear.
What do you think of the swimsuits worn by Arno Kamminga? Tell us what you think!
