Miss Teen USA Eliminates Swimsuit Competition, Replaces It With Athletic Wear Competition

The Miss Teen USA organization is doing away with the swimsuit competition, and is replacing it with an athletic wear competition.

Miss Teen USA

Paula Shugart, the Miss Universe president, explained the decision to swap the bikini competition with the athletic wear competition in a memo to the pageant’s state of directors.

“This decision reflects an important cultural shift we’re all celebrating that empowers women who lead active, purposeful lives and encourage those in their communities to do the same,” Shugart says in the memo. “Our hope is that this decision will help all of Miss Teen USA’s fans recognize these young women for the strong, inspiring individuals they are.”

The switch makes a lot of sense for the pageant, which has claimed that the purpose of the bikini contest has always been to show off contestants’ athleticism. With the new contest, that motivation will be all the more clear.

A supporter of the competition switch is reigning Miss Teen USA Katherine Haik.

“I have been an athlete my entire life. As a member of a softball team and a competitive dance team, I spend a lot of time in athletic wear,” Haik said in a statement. “This new direction for Miss Teen USA is a great way to celebrate the active lives that so many young women lead and set a strong example for our peers.”