For as long as sport has existed, it has been viewed as somewhat of a public service of escapism, a daily dose of entertainment. Since the very beginnings, there was a tradition of people enjoying competition-watching as a form of leisure, which has now become ingrained and embedded in the western culture. For decades, our closeness to, and familiarity with sport-watching has been growing, but, when met with the social context and movements of the past decade, it has lead to a number of socio-political phenomena consistently resurfacing.
Probably uninterested, possibly ignorant folk out there may be unaware of the accepted apolitical nature of the sporting environment and structure upholding it, and of the people wanting to keep it that way. From the way athletes dress, to the way they speak and what they speak about, to what they dedicate their free time to, or who they choose to spend it with – people in charge, and those on couches, have decided that athletes should either hide or comply. In short, they want to keep sport a separate, blind-to-the-issues entity; excused from everything that is happening in the society, and the worlds of those who make sport what it is.
Rather than following the guidelines of what can be partially described as a selfishly authoritarian group of those in power, in the last few years, numerous athletes have stepped up, created and demanded change. They did what some believed to be radical, unacceptable and unworthy, while others felt it to be an opening of doors, paving of paths and lifting weights off their shoulders. The passion for change and justice was around way before them, but athletes dedicated to the cause of the fourth, and current, wave of athlete activism in US sports – and beyond, are making an impact in ways that people have not been used to before, and there are different reasons for it.
Pushed, uplifted or enraged, athletes have been reacting to the social context that they have been living through – the ignorance, injustices, oppression, hatred, unjust tolerance and lack of tolerance at the same time. Whichever social and global construct they have dedicated themselves to, those are the words that could be used to describe the current state of affairs. So, when each of them started speaking out, it did not come as a surprise that each felt utter compassion, understanding, and an even greater drive to make a difference.
Whichever approach athletes took to creating change, they all knew it had to fall under the scope of organizational change. Whether it was calling out corporations and getting them to react, introducing and incorporating systemic change within their own teams and organisations or founding new organizations whose heart and soul lies on the foundations of a social movement, athletes such as Colin Kaepernick, Lewis Hamilton, Megan Rapinoe and LeBron James have done it all.
These incredible individuals have not only pushed physical human boundaries, but have also created a whole new level of a driven, purposeful human being, by dedicating their time and mind to embodying the future they want to see. People have not only been shown that ideas can be showcased on a grand scale, but that change can be made in a repressive environment, and that the ones profiting from change are well aware of the positive impact these foundations, organizations and campaigns are making.
The Helmet Project
From left to right: Vettel "Together as one" Turkish GP 2020 helmet ©Jens Munser Design; Hamilton "LOVE IS LOVE" Canadian GP 2022 helmet ©Lewis Hamilton; Vettel Turkish GP 2021 helmet ©Jens Munser Design.
The Helmet Project firmly stands on the foundations built by the „more than an athlete“ mantra and all that it promotes in viewing athletes holistically – for all that they are, not only allowing for a space for self-expression, but celebrating it. The direct inspiration for The Helmet Project came from a collaboration between UNINTERRUPTED and Victor Solomon, and their Glass Helmet project. The main goal was exposing the human behind the helmet and it was an artistic take on the „more than an athlete“. The glass helmet showcased that men scoring touchdowns, in protective gear and helmets are much more than just that, or names on their jerseys.
Racing drivers, as another helmet-wearing group of athletes, have commented many times about feeling different once their helmet is on, knowing it is a safe space that helps them get in the zone before the race. On the other hand, the helmet, although protective and utterly necessary, can have an overpowering effect on the perception of drivers and the interaction they have with the outside world. It can be seen as a boundary, both from the athlete's perspective, and the public outsider gaze. Not seeing the drivers' immediate reaction, or being able to assess facial expression has been thought to create detachment between the public and the essence of the actual human that is driving the car.
However, Formula 1 introducing customized helmet designs has pushed drivers to create a unique opportunity to portray aspects of themselves. Today, a helmet is not a barrier. It is a friendly mediator, a personal canvas for expressing what one stands for. And while the helmet used to hide the driver from the world, nowadays it serves as an extension of the driver, representing what drivers value, enjoy and believe in.
From left to right: Sainz "Mind Charity" honouring World Mental Health Day, Eifel GP 2020 helmet; Vettel Singapore GP 2022; Norris "Mind Charity" honouring World Mental Health Day helmet, Eifel GP 2020. ©Jens Munser Design.
Sometimes, it cannot immediately be about creating change for others. Sometimes, the work is first needed in order to carve out space for oneself; space where one feels supported and appreciated. And, in a seemingly silly way, that is what helmets can be viewed as. A blank space where one can stand, two feet on the ground, and be themselves, all of themselves. And with time, find ways to paint other aspects of self onto that canvas and wear their beliefs, proudly.
Formula 1 drivers helmets, reimagined
Even though currently retired, Vettel still reigns supreme with the repertoire of custom designs he has brought to races over the years. The longer he had found himself in the sport, the more comfortable Seb felt expressing his support for the causes he cared for, despite the consequences he could potentially face. Vettel and Jens Munser of JMD Designs have worked for a number of years on helmet designs and the stories they wanted to tell - from raising awareness about endangered marine animals and the importance of oceans, to support of gender equality and the LGBTQ+ community, to raising awareness about global warming, or the importance of bees in the ecosystem. Seb's helmets were always a lovely reminder how such a simple moment of art meeting safety requirements, can be utilised to promote topics of great importance, and have an immediate impact, in the aspect of spreading awareness. When it comes to our take on the helmet design, because of Vettel's unmistakable dedication to each and every cause he cared about, Adi throws a direct punch to everyone who refuses to get any subtle messages - we got work to do. The front view of the helmet shows a message above the visor that states "..Let me just put this on first" as an ironic twist to a very familiar story -"Shut up and dribble", remember?
And it wouldn't be an iconic drivers series if Lewis Hamilton wasn't a part of it in some capacity. Aside from all of his accolades that each and every person can name, Hamilton has been putting in the work - all around. He is a person who has taken adversity and actually decided to strive because of it, not in spite of it. Lewis has taken on the role of a leader, trailblazer, role model, opportunity creator, all with the goal of securing a better future - and present - for the communities he deeply cares about, and is doing it on a grand scale. He has not only directly impacted lives by actively introducing concepts of equality and diversity into spaces that were far from meeting those requirements, but has dedicated his time to changing the organisation he has been a part of for over a decade. He has been turning his team inside out, talking, brainstorming, understanding, comprehending - to assure that diversity is not just a buzzword thrown around the paddock. And even with all that said, the admiration for Lewis as an athlete stems from a different standpoint, one that includes his dedication, but encompasses much more of him. And that is his constant will to share, learn and improve. When those three concepts are applied in all areas of an athletes life - of any person's life - success and happiness follow, and a multifaceted, open-minded, incredibly driven person is able to strive. And that is what Julia decided to portray on her reimagination of Lewis' helmet design - incorporating his personal joys with his winning mentality, creating not only a beautifully balanced helmet, but one that represents a balanced life.
Fortunately, it was not hard to find athletes who have brought back the renaissance man philosophy, being incredible in all that they do, and doing it with pride. While this was indeed a visual representation of celebrating the good parts of the current wave of social activism within athletes, it is worth highlighting that systemic change is the only way to continuously push for change, that is sustainable and viable, long-term.
The take-home point, however, is that athletes, just like each and every person, are more than what they do for work. They are more than what they do for their communities, too. And they should undoubtedly be allowed to show the public however much of their personalities and opinions they feel comfortable with. As long as we are human, sport is political.
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