The Black Swimming Association up in arms over a ban on the use of a swim cap at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. FINA, the body that international swimming, has an application from the brand SOUL CAP. Its product is a cap that diverse hairstyles and hair types. The company the cap certified for competition swimming. It to help swimmers with afros, braids, dreadlocks, hair extensions, weaves, and thick and curly hair. FINA said it would not the Soul Cap because swimmers have never used a cap "of such size and configuration" before. FINA it would not permitted because "it didn't the natural form of the head".
The Black Swimming Association was aghast at the decision and it a step backwards for black swimmers. It warned it would away swimmers from diverse backgrounds. BSA spokeswoman Danielle Obe said: "This will younger and up-and-coming swimmers who might to taking up elite swimming." She added: "At the highest level, we're that, 'we want the sport to be inclusive and representative; we want to have people of colour in the sport, but we want them to on our terms'. This will their decision because by and large, hair a significant barrier, especially for women." The caps allowed at all Swim England clubs and competitions.
