ISTANBUL

The Japanese Olympic team will don new uniforms at the 2024 Paris Games that are designed to thwart secret infrared photography, according to Japanese media reports.

The innovative uniforms absorb and deflect infrared light, rendering it difficult for cameras to capture detailed images of athletes' bodies, said the Jiji news agency.

The move comes amid concerns about unauthorized infrared photos of athletes being shared online, according to the Japanese Times newspaper.

Testing confirmed the fabric's ability to obscure details visible through thin clothing when photographed with infrared cameras, said Jiji.

The stretchable fabric ensures comfort while maintaining effectiveness, balancing protection and comfort in the anticipated hot conditions of Paris.

The Summer Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to Aug. 11, will be held in Paris and 16 other cities across France, with some competitions on the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean.