In a documentary on his preparations for the Games, broadcast this week, Sasha Zhoya was seen asking designers of the French team's outfit if he could opt for a skirt rather than a pair of trousers for the Olympic Games opening ceremony.
Luxury clothes maker Berluti designed sleeveless jackets, skirts and trousers for the women in the French squad and long-sleeved jackets and trousers for the men for the Games opening ceremony.
"If women have the right to wear trousers, it should also be right that men have the choice of wearing skirts," said the 22-year-old who will take part in the 110m hurdles at the Games.
"It's 2024, we can wear everything. There's no man, no woman in fashion now.
During his fitting for the Olympics opening ceremony, track & field star and Dior ambassador Sasha Zhoya asked if he could try on a skirt, which is part of the French women's uniforms:
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) July 23, 2024
'2024 - fashion isn't gendered' 👏
Hope he gets to wear it on Friday! pic.twitter.com/nQoyUxBk8I
Zhoya, who studied a diploma in contemporary dance and ballet, and whose parents are musicians, is a blend of three nationalities from three different continents, which has clearly influenced his identity.
His father is from Zimbabwe, and his mother from France. He was raised in Subiaco, a suburb of Perth in Australia.
Zhoya’s journey into athletics started with his older sister, Munashe, when he followed her into athletics at the age of eight years old.
He did a variety of sports growing up – football, basketball, horse riding, ice skating, ice hockey, swimming – but his greatest potential was in athletics.
His mother coached him in the early years but his parents had little background in the sport – both were musicians who specialised in African and Zimbabwean music.
IOL Lifestyle