How Olympic uniforms have evolved throughout history
When Australians think of high-tech Olympic Games uniforms, Cathy Freeman's iconic super suit is usually top of mind.
The Sydney 2000 green, gold and grey bodysuit stunned viewers across the world, as Freeman won gold in the 400m sprint for Australia.
But 100 years earlier, women were competing in high-neck, knee-length dresses.
Swipe through to see how Olympic uniforms have evolved over the last century.
Paris 1900
Women first competed in the Olympic Games Paris 1900, four years after the first Games was held with only men in 1896.
In the 1900 Games, 22 women competed in tennis, sailing, croquet, golf and horseback riding compared to 975 men who competed in 20 sports.
"At the time women predominantly wore long sleeves with high necks and skirts or dresses had covered the ankles," Victoria University Women in Sport Chair Clare Hanlon told 9news.com.au
Pictured here is Charlotte Cooper from Great Britain who became the first woman to win an Olympic event in singles tennis.
She also won in mixed doubles.
Paris 1900
Hanlon said at that time men were wearing knee-length shorts and long or short sleeves depending on the sport.
Pictured is the France rugby team before a game against the Germans in Vincennes from the second Games in 1900.
Paris 1900
Nineteen nations competed in fencing with France dominating the event.
Pictured here is fencing foil master Lucien Merignac, who came first for France.
Paris 1900
Hanlon said at this time there was a big difference between men's and women's sports in terms of participation and uniforms.
She said men were allowed to have variance in their uniforms but for women, it was "fairly strict as to what they could wear".
Pictured here is a group of athletes from the United States of America.
Paris 1900
In tennis men wore long sleeves and long pants with a collar but women's uniforms were far more restrictive.
Pictured are tennis singles brothers Hugh Lawrence Doherty who finished first and Reginald Frank Doherty who finished third for Great Britain.
Antwerp 1920
Hanlon described how restrictive the long dresses were for women.
"So you can imagine playing sport, participating and competing in sport when you've got dresses that cover your ankles.
"The women weren't feeling comfortable and the images of women playing back in the 1900s where they were terribly flushed."
Pictured is Suzanne Lenglen a French singles and mixed doubles champion in 1920.
Antwerp 1920
"One of the reasons why these uniforms were required was because there was a concern that women's bodies when they were playing sport would distract male athletes," Halnlon told 9news.com.au
"Women needed to keep the feminine look intact."
Lenglen is pictured again with a shawl and shoes with a ballet-style ribbon.
Paris 1924
One Olympic uniform that was similar for men and women in the early days of the Games was the swimming uniform.
"They were actually similar for women and men where it was a loose one-piece suit and over short black trunks," Hanlon said.
After Suzanne Lenglen played in a knee-length tennis skirt in the 1920s things began to progress for women.
Over the next few decades, women began wearing loose t-shirts and shorts to compete.
Pictured is Gertrude Ederle from the US who was a champion swimmer.
Tokyo 1964
Fast-forward to the 1960s and sports brands were beginning to move in.
"It started to transform what athletes wore such as not only high-tech sneakers but also outfits," Hanlon said.
Pictured is Tamara Press throwing a discus, who came first for the Soviet Union (now known as Russia).
She is wearing Addidas shoes.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
View more galleries
Most viewed in Australia
Australian woman who died after falling from cliff near Bali was Queensland ecologist
PM ‘stunned’ over Pauline Hanson’s attack on his late mother
Six years ago, Australia had a $38 billion early super experiment. It didn’t go to plan
Tony Abbott’s ex-chief of staff says she wanted Julia Gillard to succeed
