HS Swimmer Stripped Of Medal Over ‘Butt Cheek’ Violation
An Alaska highschool swimmer was instantly stripped of her victory for a “uniform violation,” igniting cries of physique shaming, sexism and discrimnation.
Breckynn Willis, 17, participated and received a 100-meter freestyle state championship race at Dimond Excessive Faculty in Anchorage Friday night. Upon rising from the water, she was disqualified by the referee as a result of he might see “butt cheek touching butt cheek.”
In line with the Nationwide Federation of Excessive Faculties guidelines, all swimmers are required to put on a one-piece go well with to “cowl their buttocks.” Willis was carrying a swimsuit assigned to her by the group.
Not one of the different women carrying the identical school-distributed outfit as Willis have been cited for violations.
“We’ve a time period for it — it’s known as a go well with wedgie, and should you’ve ever been a swimmer, you have had one,” stated Lauren Langford, Director of YMCA Aquatics and coach for West Excessive Faculty’s swim group. “All of those women are all carrying fits which might be minimize the identical manner. And the one lady who will get disqualified is a mixed-race lady with rounder, curvier options.”
In a publish on Medium that has since gone viral, Langford continued to name out the discrimination, declaring Willis was punished for her athletic physique; a mix of genetics and years of coaching.
KTUU-2 studies Willis’ youthful sister, Dreamer Kowatch, who additionally participated in swim competitions, had a run-in with the identical referee. The ref overtly critiqued her go well with’s match throughout a meet.
In August, the Nationwide Federation of State Excessive Faculty Associations notified coaches a couple of rule change that permits athletes to be disqualified if a uniform just isn’t inside tips. A change of apparel would additionally delay the race.
The Anchorage Faculty District confirmed the go well with Willis was carrying was accepted and thought of to be in compliance. That very same swimsuit had been used with out incident at three prior meets this season.
Willis’ mom, Meagan Kowatch, needs her daughter’s disqualification overturned and her victory restored. District expects Willis coach to enchantment the choice.
The Anchorage Faculty District can be investigating the incident, saying they might not tolerate any actions that “discriminate” or “goal” pupil athletes in a press release.
