to be offended at beach volleyball outfits

[Cheria]

I have nothing against women wearing bikinis, or even wearing nothing if that's their thing. But beach volleyball is considered a serious enough sport to merit a place in the Olympics and I think that it can't be taken seriously when the players are required to wear skimpy little outfits.

Articles like this one seem to prove my point.

There is the argument that clothes don't make the sport, and I agree. But AIBU to think that this is degrading and more treated as eye candy by randy old men (and journalists)? My sister, who is much more feminist than me, disagrees, and thinks the outfits are a celebration of women's bodies.

[Clarence15]

I wouldn't say I was actually offended but it did cross my mind this morning that their bottom halves were unnecessarily skimpy and that perhaps they should at least wear shorts or bigger 'knickers' like runners do. I don't really see why they need to wear actual bikini pants for the sport - so no YANBU. Seems like it's a sport that gets a lot of interest merely for the outfits which is ridiculous.

[Whatmeworry]

Didn't we just do this with Hooters?

[Cheria]

Obviously I mean the outfits used in official competition. People playing it on the beach can wear what they want.

[DesperateHousewife21]

Agree that the bottom halves seem to be unnecessarily skimpy. I can see why they wouldnt want alot of clothes to get in the way of the sport, esp as its played on sand but I think they should cover their behinds up a leeeetle bit more.

[Cheria]

Hooters is entertainment and doesn't expect to be taken seriously. Beach volleyball is supposed to be worthy of olympic medals...

[HowlingBitch]

How on earth do they play properly? They must get half the beach in their arses.

Ouch.

[SiamoFottuti]

Is it a choice, or are they required to wear them to compete? There is nothing feminist about showing off your arse during world-class competitive sporting events.

[Cheria]

I believe the competition rule book is quite stringent but I might be wrong

[Quenelle]

I was thinking about this earlier today after listening to Steve Cram on the Chris Evans R2 show getting all hot under the collar at the prospect of going to watch them today.

Lots of runners and other athletes wear those little knickers too but you don't get the leering and suggestive comments from sports journalists that you do with beach volleyball.

There must be more to it than just the clothes. Is it because their figures are more curvy and 'womanly' - as opposed to the very muscular figures of runners like Paula Radcliffe. Or is it because of the 'beach' element? As if they're 'bathing beauties' who are just frolicking about on the sand for the amusement of male spectators?

[ZZZenAgain]

how is it a feminist choice?They all wear the same, don't they?

I am not offended by it really but I don't think the tops fit with the bottoms - just from the look of it

[troisgarcons]

rolls eyes

Hmm I don't see a lot of material on long distance runners outfits either (male or female)

[Cattleprod]

What do the mens beach volleyball team wear? If their outfits are similarly skimpy then I suppose that's fair enough, although at the thought of a load of men jumping about in speedos or thongs!!

[bubblesincoffee]

If the competetors are comfortable with what they are wearing, that's all that matters.

We see tennis players arses, we see runners with minimal skin tight outfits showing off midriff and leaving nothing to the imagination, I don't think this is much different.

[Cheria]

The men wear baggy shorts and vest top

[milkmilklemonade]

I think it's great that they all have cellulite yet are still fit and successful sportsman who are not ashamed of it.

[JustFiveMinutesHAHAHA]

Quenelle - there's a big difference betweeen runners 'knickers' and beach volleyball 'knickers' - there's nothing to what the beach volleyball players wear.

I don't care what they wear - do it naked for all I care, but I do object to is their lack of choice over what they wear. The code stipulates the attire - they can't choose to wear lycra shorts and vest top etc.

[Bonsoir]

Beach volleyball was originally played in a bikini. These outfits are a lot more covering and supportive than a bikini ie are already modified for extra modesty.

Or maybe you think beach volleyball would be better played in a burkini?

[SiamoFottuti]

their being comfortable is not all that matters.

[Whatmeworry]

Bah Humbug - female chauvinist priggery.

[SiamoFottuti]

I don't think you mean chauvinist in that context, do you?

[HandDivedScallopsrgreat]

There are stringent rules about what beach volley ballers wear - which do not apply to runners (as someone gave an example above). Even if it were a "choice", choice always has context.

This article appeared in the Saturday Telegraph magazine. I draw your attention to the quote by Nik Berger, coach to Austrian National Squad "Let's face it, sex sells". This isn't about comfort or appropriate attire for the sport. This is about objectifying women as sex objects, yet again.

[flaminglip]

its a beach sport so probably beachwear is appropriate. Do you object because they have wobbly bums?

I'd rather see healthy bodies in bikinis playing sport than those whippety lean
anorexic looking runners who wear just as skimpy outfits.

[Xenia]

They are fit women rather than silly model types. I'm sure lots of people do find it a sexy sport. They choose to take part.

More to the point might be why do we feel they have to wear clothes at all? Do we have problems with the bodies of women?