The Group Chat: Look good, feel good, play good

Sports aren’t always the best venue for self-expression, especially when athletes must represent a team. With rules about what you can and cannot wear or how you can do your hair, it’s hard for athletes to share their style.

• That said, there’s one major exception in sports: Track & Field (T&F). Many athletes are just as well known for their trademark hair, makeup, and accessories as they are for their broken records. Uniforms can’t stop these stars from shining.

• So in honor of today’s USA Track & Field Outdoor & Para National Championships grand finale, we’re chatting about some of the sport’s most iconic athletes and how they carve out their brands and communicate their values. On your marks…

You can’t talk about fashion in T&F without talking about Florence Griffith Joyner, aka FloJo. The legendary sprinter set the world record for the 100m and 200m sprints in 1988…and still holds them to this day. A three-time Olympic gold medalist, she’s often referred to as the fastest woman in history.

• But even with that resumé, it was FloJo’s inimitable and bold style that made her a household name long after her historic performance at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

• From her trademark one-legged, brightly colored body suits to her flowing hair to her iconic nails, FloJo brought fashion-forward looks to the mainstream for T&F athletes, laying the groundwork for today’s looks.

Many modern-day athletes have followed in FloJo’s steps, but none quite as boldly as fellow sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson. The controversial Olympic gold medalist is immediately recognizable for her vibrant wigs, intricate braids, full face of makeup, and manicures that would make FloJo herself jealous.

• Although her on-track looks have recently toned down, she still communicates her self-determination through her style choices. The fashion mainstay was the face of USA T&F at Paris 2024 and even landed an invite to this year’s Met Gala.

Speaking of bold looks (and of internet-breaking manicures), shotputter Raven Saunders also used fashion to establish her brand. At the Paris Games, they became an instant celebrity for their half-purple, half-green hairstyle, mask and sunglasses, nails, gold teeth…the whole nine yards meters.

• But many don’t realize that the motive behind the mask and other elements of their look goes far beyond fashion: They treat them like battle armor, fortifying them in an ongoing mental health journey while intimidating the hell out of their opponents.

• Saunders’ looks go hand-in-hand with their mission to advocate for mental health awareness and justice for LGBTQIA+ and Black communities. Channeling the Hulk never looked so cool.

For many T&F athletes, their looks are all about courage and confidence. Shotputter Chase Jackson’s stunning eye makeup, trans middle distance runner Nikki Hiltz’s gender-affirming clothes, hurdler/sprinter Alia Armstrong’s rhinestones…all allow them to look and feel their best, helping them reach new heights on the field of play.

A major bonus? When athletes share their authentic selves through style, brands take notice. Sprinter Noah Lyles’ fashion obsession has led him to high-profile collaborations with the likes of Adidas and Omega.

• Tara Davis-Woodhall (of T&F’s favorite power couple) honored her roots by busting out her cowgirl boots on the track, and partnerships with Lululemon and Nike followed.

Athletes who embrace authenticity and integrate their personal style into their sports rack up win after win: By dressing true to themselves, they not only build larger-than-life personas but also draw attention from brands and fans. Look good, feel good, play good.