If you're in a Tokyo pool, think twice before pulling out your nail polish. From now on, Japanese competitive swimmers could face a lifetime ban from the sport if they dye their hair or have brightly decorated nails. Why? Officials say, "We have had many recent controversies with marijuana in sport and at universities, and this is about swimming taking a stand on its own initiative." The officials also cited similar rules for the US and Australian teams.
In my seventh grade speech and debate class, though, we learned that an appeal to authority isn't the same thing as a good justification, and I'm having a hard time viewing these rules—in any country, the US included—as fair. What do you think? Is this a standard that's necessary to maintain the dignity of the sport, or is it unfairly biased against young women who want to express themselves?
Mulberry
Apart
DSquared
What does having dyed hair and painted nails have to do with Marijuana? Am I missing something here?
1Exactly how does their hair or nails affect their performance? Chlorine destroys both, but they do wear swim caps. I think it sounds like Japan is just trying to hard to be "classy" and I find it silly. It certainly isn't going to make them swim faster. I suppose they will look conservative and dignified during their losses to more dominant swimming countries.
2huh?
3Every country is different, but I find this rule to be extremely unfair and harsh. Honestly, it's just nail polish, sure it's expressing yourself to a degree but it's not like the swimmers are going to be jumping into the pool in hot pink bikini's. It's not like nail polish is some scandalous thing to most people. I see what they are trying to do, keep everything generic and as the above said, "classy".
4Dyed hair + manicure= a marajuana user? What?
5*marijuana
I so butchered that.
6In Japan, decorating your body through jewelry, painted nails, and dyed hair is common, but in schools and workplaces you're supposed to not have that stuff on. So it's probably just considered unprofessional to do that stuff ina competition. I'm not sure what that has to do with Marujuana, or what's so bad bout painted nails, but culturally the appearance regulation makes sense.
7Whatever. How is dyed hair and painted nails be undignified for swimming??
Competitive swimming is about PERFORMANCE, not about one's hair or nails. Besides, most (female) competitive swimmers wear a swimming cap, so the hair is completely covered anyways. Natural hair or dyed hair -- it makes little difference, as it's hidden under the cap during competition. Many male competitive swimmers shave their heads AND wear a cap.
And nails are such a non-issue, in my opinion. Like I said, competitive swimming is about PERFORMANCE.
These Japanese rules are ridiculous.
8I swam competitively for years so I somewhat I understand where they are coming from. As competitive swimmers we have to look professional and generally well put-together. When I swam, we weren't allowed to have anything drawn on us at swim meets. Most high school swimmers will write their events with a permanent marker on their wrist or thigh so we can keep track of where we're supposed to be. But there was an incident where one of my team mates decided to write "Go Team!" on her shoulder blades and she got thrown out of the swim meet entirely.
So I get where they're coming from, about the swimmers needing to look professional and not like rock starts showing up for a debut. Some sort of standard is necessary, but nail polish is pretty darn mundane...
9At first i was wondering what this was all about, after reading the full article however it kind of makes more sense to me. Look in most sports you are not allowed to wear jewelry. Also, it doesn't ban all nail polish, it says no brightly colored decorated nails. I know many places here in the US with dress code restrictions over nail polish and hair dye colors at most office jobs, why would it be any different if their job is a sport. They are representing the company like any other employee. Also the nail polish has nothing to do with marijuana use, instead they are talking about the increase of problems they are having such as marijuana use, athletes sneaking into each others dorms etc. So they are tightening restrictions all around. So it does not sound too different from the US rules for me.
However, just because it makes sense doesn't mean i agree with it. I think you should be able to express yourself. Especially athletes and performers who don't have office jobs, although i wish everyone could, but i guess society's idea of "normal" will always rule.
10i think some ladies here need to respect culture and that Japan isn't only trying to stay "classy" and only put on a show. Obviously if you've been to a swim meet your coaches want you to look professional.
And honestly, if you're going to compete at a swim meet why the hell would you want to express yourself so badly. Athletes care about competition, not expressing themselves through nail art. The chlorine will ruin it anyway so just take it off before your meet and put it on again after. I don't even understand why there is an article to this. It is extremely useless. Disappointing.
11Since Japan is recognized for their outrageous street fashion, no one ever believes me when I talk about how strict the dress code is within many of it's institutions.
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