The Miss Teen USA beauty pageant will eliminate the swimsuit competition to focus more on feminism and physical fitness.
Replacing the swimsuit competition will be an “athletic wear” competition, where contestants can show off their bodies in fitness apparel, USA Today reported. Pageant organizers said the change was made to modernize the Miss Teen USA pageant, which is geared towards girls ages 14 to 19.
Katherine Haik, the reigning Miss Teen USA, applauded the decision. “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,” said Haik.
The move was met with mixed reviews on social media, with some women applauding the decision. Comedian Keating Thomas felt it didn’t go far enough, tweeting:
Miss Teen USA ended its swimsuit competition, claiming a more ‘modern approach. ‘
Hey, want to be real modern? Don’t be a beauty pageant.”
Others complained the move was caving into political correctness. “Why don’t they just put them in sweats and serve bonbons preparing them 4 later in life?” Megan Caudill tweeted.
The 2016 Miss Teen USA pageant takes place in Las Vegas on July 30.