2024 Olympics: Japan athletes will wear uniforms that block infrared cameras. Understand

The Olympic games are always full of surprises and novelties, such as the new modalities: breaking and extreme slalom canoeing, which arrive in these 2024 Olympics. But Mizuno, a Japanese manufacturer of sports equipment, decided to go further by developing innovative uniforms for Japan's Olympic athletes. The new kits, intended for the women's volleyball, athletics and table tennis teams, use advanced technology that prevents suggestive images from being captured by infrared cameras. The special fabric, produced in collaboration with companies Sumitomo Metal Mining and Kyodo Printing, has materials that absorb light in the infrared range, preventing infrared photos from revealing the athletes' underwear or bodies.

This innovation seeks to combat the spread of hypersexualized images of athletes on the internet. The initiative of Mizuno not only protects the dignity and well-being of athletes, but also reinforces the commitment of Mizuno to establish a new standard of privacy and security in sport, promoting fairer and more respectful competition.

The use of this fabric by top athletes raises awareness in society that voyeurism is unacceptable. Cameras are becoming more and more sophisticated. Using infrared for photography reveals underwear and bodies under swimsuits and shorts.

Kazuya Tajima, member of the Mizuno development team.

Explaining the problem

The hypersexualization of athletes at high-visibility sporting events, such as Olympic Games, is a worrying issue that results not from the nature of the clothes themselves, but from the camera angles and takes that are intentionally manipulated for this purpose. A clear example of this problem is the case of Airi Hatakeyama, a rhythmic gymnast who represented Japan in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics. Hatakeyama said she was shocked to discover that some people were sexualizing images of her while she was still a minor, highlighting an uncomfortable reality for many athletes.

In response to this type of problem, the gymnastics federation has adopted strict measures since 2004, banning photos during competitions and mobilizing employees to identify offenders. During the preparation for the Games of Tokyo 2021, Japanese Olympic Committee has intensified its efforts to raise public awareness about these despicable acts. That year, a man was arrested for using an infrared camera to photograph a volleyball player and selling the images on a pornographic website. However, the case with rhythmic gymnastics in Japan is not an isolated case, just a quick search on the internet to find pornographic sites or posts on social networks that sexualize athletics, swimming, volleyball and other athletes with their respective uniforms.

A factor that drives this criminal practice is the use of infrared cameras and some modern smartphones with the ability to capture images through ordinary clothing, using infrared technology. This technology, originally designed for scientific and security purposes, allows infrared light to penetrate thin materials, revealing details not visible to the naked eye. Infrared camera models and smartphone apps can be adjusted to capture images in low-light conditions or even in complete darkness, exposing unwanted details of athletes' bodies. The use of this technology for malicious purposes represents a serious violation of the privacy and dignity of athletes.

Some smartphones like CAT S61, CAT S62 Pro and the OnePlus 8 Pro have camera sensors with the ability to capture infrared light, allowing viewing through thin materials. Additionally, the thermal camera FLIR One, which can be attached to smartphones, and Seek Thermal Compact are examples of portable devices that use infrared technology to capture detailed images even in low-light conditions. Other consumer cameras with infrared capabilities include the Canon XA30 and Sony FDR-AX700, both equipped with night vision modes that use infrared light to capture images in complete darkness.

The OnePlus 8 Pro includes a unique camera sensor known as the color filter, which can capture images with an infrared effect. This technology allows the camera to see beyond the visible light spectrum, revealing details that would not normally be visible to the naked eye. Initially designed to enhance photography in low-light conditions and create unique visual effects, the OnePlus 8 Pro's infrared color filter has gained attention for its ability to see through certain thin materials such as fabrics (see photo below).

Recent cases highlight the seriousness of this issue. In 2021, the arrest of a man for selling infrared photos of a female volleyball player and, in 2023, the prosecution of another individual for filming female runners during a relay race highlight the need for strict measures to protect athletes. In response, some sports organizations and equipment manufacturers, such as Mizuno, are developing uniforms that block the capture of infrared images. These innovative fabrics incorporate infrared light-absorbing materials, preventing infrared photos from revealing details of the athletes' bodies.

How Mizuno uniform technology works

Given the recent problems of hypersexualization of athletes wearing their uniforms, the Mizuno, in partnership with Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. and Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd., specialists respectively in functional materials and composite materials technology, have developed an innovative fabric designed specifically to protect athletes against illicit photography via infrared cameras. This research and development project focused on creating a textile material that not only offers high sports performance, but also effectively blocks light in the infrared range.

The fabric incorporates specialized materials that absorb and scatter infrared light, making the covered areas virtually invisible to infrared cameras. This technological advancement does not compromise the comfort or breathability of the fabric, keeping it suitable for use during intense physical activities. In addition to its infrared blocking capabilities, the fabric Mizuno it also maintains visible light-absorbing properties, ensuring comprehensive protection against other types of unwanted photography.

Several rigorous tests were carried out to verify the effectiveness of the infrared blocking fabric. Results demonstrated that the fabric is highly opaque under visible and infrared light, offering a high level of privacy and security for athletes in competitive environments. This technical validation reinforces the product's ability to meet the specific demands of the contemporary sports market, where protection against invasions of privacy has become a growing concern.

By launching this innovative fabric, Mizuno not only reinforces its commitment to technological innovation in sport, but also demonstrates a solid commitment to ethics and integrity in the sporting environment. Protecting athletes from unauthorized illicit photography not only promotes a safer and more respectful environment, but also strengthens athletes' confidence and well-being in their competitions. This initiative reflects the fundamental values ​​of Mizuno to improve mind, body and technique through sport, ensuring that its products not only improve athletic performance, but also protect athletes' personal dignity.

Despite the Mizuno be developing specific uniforms for some sports of the Japanese team, such as volleyball, athletics and table tennis, the ASICS will be responsible for manufacturing and supplying official sportswear for the Japanese team at the Olympic Games. A ASICS, in partnership with the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) and the Japan Paralympic Sports Association and the Japanese Paralympic Committee (JPC), will provide clothing, footwear, bags and other essential items for the Japanese delegation. This collaboration highlights JOC and JPC's confidence in the quality and performance of JOC's products. ASICS to represent Japan in competitions.

A ASICS has a long history of supporting Japanese sport and is known for its advanced technology and innovative design, which provide comfort and performance for athletes. By manufacturing and supplying the Japanese team's official items, the ASICS ensures athletes are equipped with the best in functionality and style. This partnership is essential for preparing athletes, providing them with the confidence and comfort necessary to compete at the highest level during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Conclusion

As we move towards global scale sporting events such as the Olympics, the need to protect athletes' privacy against invasive imaging technologies becomes crucial. Innovations such as the infrared blocking fabric of Mizuno represent a significant step in this direction, offering an additional layer of security in an environment where personal integrity and a focus on competition are paramount. These initiatives not only address real security and privacy concerns, but also set new standards for protecting individual rights at major sporting events.

The fight against the hypersexualization of athletes and the violation of their privacy requires a multifaceted approach, including public awareness, technological innovation and strict enforcement of laws. It is essential that all parties involved – sporting organizations, equipment manufacturers, and society at large – work together to create a safer and more respectful environment for competitors, allowing them to focus on their performance without fear of harassment or unwanted exposure.

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Sources: The Verge, Mizuno e Japan Times.