Overview
- The IOC barred Josephine Schlörb’s original boots, which carried explicit anti-hate statements, under Rule 50’s ban on political, religious or racial expressions at Olympic venues.
- Schlörb and the German Olympic Sports Confederation sought guidance for months, and a version with obscured text was also rejected because it could prompt questions about the prior wording.
- Her new design—a world map composed of the word “Respekt” in multiple languages—received approval after she documented that each term translated to “respect”.
- The 22-year-old vice European champion will make her Olympic debut in the team pursuit alongside Lea Sophie Scholz and Josie Hofmann.
- She will compete in custom, mostly carbon boots featuring the approved motif, which she says fit and feel excellent.