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.

Yes, the Europeans have a much better attitude to nudity and sex than the Americans who have too many hang ups.

Interesting sprogger. It certainly does explode that argument.

How about mankinis for the male players then?

I haven't read all the posts, but I can't think these costumes are much more revealing than those of the swimmers. I don't think Tom Daly gets to wear much more. And what about all those jokes about Linford Christie and his "lunch box"? Is that OK because he's a bloke? Perhaps the rules are there because some countries need to retain the sexual element to afford to compete, but some countries don't. I don't know much about sliding about in sand, but a full length lycra costume will move much quicker than a skimpy costume.

catgirl1976 - "but that's what you would wear on the beach if you were playing so why change it"

the problem is the lack of flexibility in the rule book and the article linked to by Tanso yesterday at 09:50 ended with

"But the bikini-only rule has not been popular even in the West, with many women arguing that they should be allowed to wear either tights
or shorts."

(my bolding) - just that few Western teams would have a challenge accepted on "religious, cultural or ethical sentiments" because bikinis are (mostly) acceptable dress in the west, on a beach (excluding the Amish view, of course !)

First off when reading your title I thought is it because you can't wear something like that, then when I see the pictures thought wtf there is no need for them to wear barely nothing on the bottom half they could wear gym shorts.

Fabbychic I can and do wear stuff like that but it's incredible how many people who have disagreed with me on this thread have accused me and others who agree of being jealous or prudish.

I have been really surprised at that reaction but maybe I shouldn't have been.

The thing which is a bit sad is that quite a lot of posters have said they think the sport looks fun but there's no way they could wear the outfit.

Sport should be accessible really, and not only for people who feel comfortable in skimpy "uniforms".

I wonder how many young women would be great at this sport but don't take it up as they object to the outfit.

If they chose to wear it - it's fine.

If they have to wear it - it's not fine.

"If they chose to wear it - it's fine.

If they have to wear it - it's not fine"

This.

I do find it a bit irritating though that there is an expectation- leaving volley ball aside -of how women should dress on a beach. I go to the beach sometimes with dh and his colleagues/friends (they're triathletes and do sea swims then runs on the beach, the rest of us supervise the bbq) and have had some rather pointed comments. I tend to wear board shorts and a tankini top or if I'm swimming I wear a swimming costume with long legs (down to the knee, I'd link a pic but they're bloody hard to find). I get a range of comments from men and women including 'you have a good figure, why wouldn't you show it off', 'you look like you have something to hide' and 'are you a prude?'.

This I find very odd indeed. I don't want to wear a high cut, arse-bearing bikini or whatever it is they are. And I do get judged for it. Which is v odd. This expectation that I should be revealing more of my body than I comfortable with according to some unwritten expectation of how women should dress.

OP, I agree with you. YANBU.

I think the thongs look odd. Unprofessional, and impractical for all that jumping & stretching. I'm surprised they don't wear little shorts. But perhaps I shouldn't be, considering the 'sex sells' quote above.