There has long been a different standard between men and women in the sports world. Women’s sports are usually less attended, less funded, and just plain unwanted by some. Even when women are given an equal chance, they still face challenges.For instance, beach volleyball poses inequalities to the female players. Female Beach Volleyball athletes should be given the option to opt out of revealing clothing, free from punishment.
Female beach volleyball players have been expected by audiences and fans to wear a bikini type uniform with revealing tops and bottoms. While some organizations like the Olympics do not require such a revealing uniform, it is required that all players wear the same uniform. In cases where people do not adhere to the team uniform, teams and players face fees and fines. Many teams, and in the case of the Olympics, different countries, opt for the smaller uniforms as a marketing tactic. Many women personally prefer the smaller uniforms, while others prefer to wear a less revealing uniform. Essentially, women are potentially forced to wear something they are not comfortable in.
In the beginning of the sport, expectations were completely different. Beach Volleyball began in Hawaii around 1915. Beach volleyball originated as a game played between friends and family members. Gaining popularity in California around the 1920s, it began to become a competitive sport, rather than just a fun pastime. Due to the ease of finding a place to play and the low cost of the sport itself, it spread like wildfire. Not only in the US, but also in other places, like Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, and Latvia. By this time large competitions with cash prizes were becoming common, only furthering the popularity. At the time the sport was primarily played by men, and women were slowly incorporated into the game.
By 1996 both men’s and women’s beach volleyball were added into the Olympic games. Advertisements, stamps, and propaganda featured women playing beach volleyball in (you guessed it) very little clothing. This was a marketing tactic to grow interest in this brand new sport. In the men’s beach volleyball ads, men were fully covered and in the uniforms they compete in.
Even as time has changed and many moves have been made for gender equality, the same discrepancy remains constant. For example, in 2021, a beach handball team (a sport that is extremely similar and is played mainly in Europe) was fined for players opting to wear more clothes. The ladies on the team were each fined 175 dollars for “improper clothing”. In a statement by the International Handball Federation, they said “all efforts will be taken in order to further promote the sport. This includes the ideal presentation of the sport and, by that, includes the outfit of the players.” Meaning the only reason they were fined was because people won’t watch these women for their talent, just their uniforms. Sadly, most female athletes in this sport will be used and paraded for more money.
There are a multitude of reasons why a person may choose to cover up. One being religion. Many athletes follow religions that either require them to dress more modestly, or wear others. While big organizations such as the Olympics allow Hijabs for religion, that’s the only modification they make. It’s difficult, unfair, and discriminatory to require such uniforms for players. This leaves many women in all levels of the sport to make a difficult decision, their religion or the sport they love. While in many cases men are only required to wear long loose shorts and a tank top, allowing them more freedom. Either women are forced to choose between their passion or religion, or facing fines or possible suspension. Some women may just be more comfortable covered up, and that should be respected.
When it comes to the sport and the choice of uniforms, some women prefer to wear the smaller “swimsuit like” uniform. In the 2021 olympics there were 24 different teams competing from 17 different nations. American team April Ross and Alix Klineman both voiced their own opinion on the uniform matter. Both women worked in conjunction with companies to design their swimsuit-like uniforms. Ross explained why they prefer this uniform, they can stay cooler and sand is less likely to get caught in the uniform.These opinions are valid, however these opinions do not represent all female beach players as a whole. Women deserve the opportunity to have an option for whatever reason. Whether they want to be more or less covered, these athletes deserve the chance to choose.
In all, this is not only a debate in the Olympics and in America, but also in other countries and in smaller events. No matter how big or small the game, women deserve to have the chance to choose a more comfortable and be able to wear what they choose. While in some places, women are free to choose, some in other places are not, and that is not okay. It’s disappointing to see that female athletes are used by companies and organizations to profit off of their hard work and skill, just because of a uniform. These women work hard in the sport they love and deserve to be appreciated for more than what they look like. All female athletes deserve to choose their own comfort, and should never be forced to wear revealing clothes in fear of penalty.
