Culture

Miss Teen USA Is Ditching The Swimsuit Competition

Instead, participants will compete in an athletic wear event.

Miss Teen USA Is Ditching The Swimsuit Competition
Getty Images / Aaron Davidson

Miss Teen USA is trading in swimsuits for athletic wear.

The Miss Universe Organization told USA Today on Wednesday the pageant won't have a swimsuit event. Instead, contestants between 14 and 19 years old will participate in an athletic wear competition.

Miss Universe President Paula Shugart said, "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."

Current Miss Teen USA Katherine Haik, who plays softball and dances, echoed the statement.

Could other pageants say goodbye to swimsuits?

Before the Miss USA competition earlier this month, the show's host and creative producer Julianne Hough told USA Today changes could be coming.

She said of the swimsuit competition, "In the next few years we may grow from that, but let's see where this year goes."

The Miss Teen USA competition is July 30 and will be streamed live on MissTeenUSA.com.

This video includes a clip from Miss Universe Organization and images from Getty Images. Music provided courtesy of APM Music.