Chase Jackson, a shot put thrower with Team USA, arrived in Paris for the Olympics and was heartbroken to find that none of her uniforms were in her size. She took to Instagram to share her disappointment, but later updated her followers that the issue was due to a logistical error and had been resolved by her team. Despite this, fans were outraged at the oversight, with some seeing it as a form of body shaming towards the athlete.
In a follow-up Instagram story, Jackson explained that the issue arose from a clerical mistake that recorded all of her sizes incorrectly for the different brands. She clarified that all brands did have her size and that the uniforms were swapped, so she now had the correct sizes. She also shared that receiving the wrong size uniforms brought up past experiences of not being included, which made her emotional. Jackson emphasized that it was an honest mistake and that she was grateful for the support she received from her team in rectifying the situation.
Jackson, who stands at 5-feet-10-inches tall, has spoken out about body confidence and the importance of embracing all body types in the world of athletics. She shared in an interview that she believes “strong is beautiful” and has learned to love her body over time. Jackson emphasized the message that there is not only one way to look like an athlete or to be beautiful, advocating for creativity and self-expression in the sports world.
Despite past struggles with body image, Jackson has found confidence in herself and hopes to inspire others to embrace their unique identities. She loves makeup and often teaches herself new looks from social media videos, using eye makeup favored by drag queens that stays put during competition. By embracing her “girly” side while competing in shot put, Jackson aims to show that there is no one way to be a female athlete and that femininity can coexist with strength and athleticism.
Chase Jackson is scheduled to compete in the qualifying round for women’s shot put during the Paris Olympics on August 8, with the finals taking place the next day. Fans can watch the events on Peacock, which is streaming the Olympics around the clock. Jackson’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of body positivity and self-acceptance in the world of sports, and her journey of embracing her unique identity while competing at the highest level is an inspiration to many.
