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How a Ban on a Swim Cap Galvanized Black Swimmers

Ahead of the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, which begin later this month, members of the International Swimming Federation, known as FINA, are reconsidering a ban they put on a swim cap designed for Black hair.

The product, Soul Cap, is meant to accommodate thicker, curlier hair textures to provide a better fit and protect hair from chlorine. FINA declined to comment on the status of the review process but a statement, released on July 2, said that the governing body was “currently reviewing the situation with regards to ‘Soul Cap’ and similar products, understanding the importance of inclusivity and representation.