WINDSOR, Ont. - To Tabia Charles, a runway's a runway, so why not dress the part?

The athlete from Pickering, Ont., booked her ticket to the Beijing Olympics in the women's long jump at the Canadian track and field championships this past weekend, and made a fashion statement in the process. The 23-year-old competed with one of her legs covered in a black fishnet stocking, and a streak of pink in her dark brown hair.

"If I wasn't doing track, I would be in New York or Hollywood somewhere, being stylish, shopping, looking good. I try," she said, laughing. "When I go to Europe I see the jumpers, they're such ladies, they're so sexy, they're tall, they're very fashionable.

"Honestly the jumping is like a stage for stars, the runway is like a fashion show runway."

Charles needed only a top-four finish in the long jump to earn a spot on the Olympic team, and captured the bronze medal. The 23-year-old won gold in the triple jump, but won't compete in that event in Beijing after narrowly missing the qualifying standard.

Charles said she wore the outfit to entertain the crowd that packed onto the grassy slope to watch the long and triple jump events at the University of Windsor stadium.

"You've got to bring a spark, I'm a female, I love fishnets so why not? Look sexy, jump far," she said. "This is a new thing, I decided to come out there and look good and jump far. We had a big show out there for the long jump and triple jump, a lot of people came out."

She's certainly not the only fashionista in the track and field world. American high jumper Amy Acuff is known for her flashy outfits, once competing in a pink two-piece faux fur outfit.

At the U.S. Olympic trials, Sanya Richards won the women's 400 wearing what looked like long opera gloves that covered her forearms up past the elbows. They were more functional than a fashion statement though, part of Nike's new apparel that is meant to cut down on wind resistance.

Tyler Christopher of Chilliwack, B.C., wore one of the new Nike sleeves each on one calf and one left arm en route to winning Saturday's 400-metre final.

While Charles argued the long and triple jumpers lead the way when it comes to fashion, Nicole Forrester begged to differ.

"Actually I think the high jumpers are the most stylish out there. They copy us," said Forrester, who looks like a model standing six-foot-four. "Usually I have longer earrings and a belly chain and maybe an anklet on. But my lucky earrings broke two days ago."

Charles wouldn't give any hints as to how she'll adorn her standard issue Canadian team outfit in Beijing.

"I can't tell you now. If I tell you, I'll give it away. I want to make the top-eight first, and we'll see what I do if I make it," she said. "You'll see it out there."

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