Swimming should be a sport open to all. Unfortunately, cultural differences and racial bias make it challenging, which is why Black-owned manufacturer SOUL CAP was established.
The company understood the need for a way to address varying hairstyles for aquatic competition, the former which can include dreadlocks, weaves, braids and afros. The Soul Cap was embraced by a crowd long discriminated against, and the hopes of using it during professional competitions were great.
Then it was barred from last year’s Olympics.
But late yesterday, Black swimmers and their hair received great news as FINA, swimming’s international governing body, approved the cap for use in top-level competitions.
It’s a decision the company called “a huge step in the right direction”.
Now athletes like Alice Dearing, Great Britain’s first Black Olympic swimmer, can compete while protecting her curly afro.
It’s a step in the right direction for a sport that continues to struggle with diversity.
A fight Dearing understands only too well.
“At certain times, I have really struggled in sport. I would lie if I said I had sailed through,” said Dearing to The Guardian.
Last year, the hope was to have Soul Cap approved for Olympic competition. But FINA ruled against it, ruling the cap unsuitable for use in competitions due to them not “following the natural form of the head”.
That resulted in a backlash that grew organically, leading to an apology from FINA and an invitation for the company to reapply for consideration.
After a year-long battle, FINA finally issued its long-awaited approval yesterday.
“Promoting diversity and inclusivity is at the heart of FINA’s work, and it is very important that all aquatic athletes have access to the appropriate swimwear,” said Brent Nowicki, Executive Director at FINA.
Their decision enables swimming to take a step forward in diversity and inclusion and will help open the door to aquatics much wider for women who look like Dearing.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who showed support and was part of creating this major change. As a new father and someone who didn’t learn to swim growing up, creating access for the next generation feels even more close to home,” said Soul Cap co-founder Toks Ahmed. “We’ve seen what community and collective energy can achieve, so we’re hopeful to keep knocking down more of these barriers.”
