I think you’re misunderstanding me. I’m talking about the change in the regulating body now allowing the teams, or at least the countries sponsoring them, to make their own choices. It used to be that the regulating body enforced skimpy bikinis, and now they don’t. That’s progress. Individual teams using that choice to be shitty in no way undermines that progress. Less people being forced to do or wear things against their will, better judgement, or desire is always better, even if there’s still progress to be made.

And this is tangential and I don’t really wish to get into an argument over it, but I have to point out that the logic of “well they knew what they were getting into so they by default consented to it” is really fucking terrible logic. Here, make the choice between being objectified so you can continue competing, or give up your dreams to maintain your dignity! What the fuck kind of choice is that? That’s coercion hiding behind choice. That’s one step below “have sex with me or you’re fired”. Fuck that noise.