The goal of this petition is for the female gymnast to have the same choices in attire that the male gymnast have, giving female gymnast the ability to compete in either shorts or pants without deduction.   Male gymnast are allowed to wear shorts or pants while competing without deduction.  Female gymnast only other options are an ankle length unitard or leggings worn under the leotard that are skin color or same as the leotard. 

While many female gymnasts are comfortable competing inside the current rules and policies there are others who take the deduction and wear shorts or pants while competing.  Many wish to have the ability to wear shorts or pants for religious or personal reasons such as self confidence. 

With competition season upcoming my daughter as well as some of her teammates would rather compete in shorts or pants over their leotard.  As gymnast are pushing their bodies to extremes, their confidence should not be hindered by their attire and their inability to choose shorts or pants without deduction.