To think beach volleyball is just an excuse for folk to perv at athletes in skimpy gear

[voluptuagoodshag]

I don't understand why it is even a distinct sport from normal volleyball. Surely it came about just because some folk were playing it on a beach? Why not then have beach gymnastics, or beach football or beach archery?

thispancan - I believe that counting the angles was precisely what they did. Here's the abstract for the original peer-reviewed academic paper:

www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J057v13n01_04?journalCode=wjpm20

There's a huge difference between wondering and judging. My wondering is mainly about how much power the athletes have over what they wear when they seem to be required to wear very little. I also wonder who makes those decisions and why. I don't judge the athletes or anyone in a gym or out doing exercise in the street as I'm often wobbling away there myself - also not giving a single fuck about whether anyone's judging me or not.

Oh, I absolutely think it's a sport. I am not for a second questioning the athleticism or skill of the players. In many ways, I would argue that such attitudes are precisely what the sexist coverage is trying to achieve: a diminution of the actual achievements of these women. My argument would be that sexualisation in media coverage and reporting trivialises them.

No one is saying that the sports are easy - I hated volleyball because it hurts, glad not to have to do that now!

But if the sand is itchy and I was crashing into it, I'd want some more sizeable shorts and a top that is going to provide some protection. I'd also want sun coverage. So I conclude that bra and knickers are not practical and are worn to up the viewing figures.

Huge head wrap and long tight sleeves wouldn't be fun either.

I'm going to drop off the thread now as I don't have anything further to contribute. I'm sorry that you feel that your daughter or her sport have been devalued veryproud. I don't think it's the intention to undervalue the players themselves but I can also see why the thread would be difficult.

And yes, the trunks for the diving last night were some serious form over function....

On the said Wiki page there were 15 photos.

1 of mixed pairs
2 of men in 1915 in Hawaii where it all began
1 nudist
1 of men in baggy shorts and vests
10 of females in skimpy bikinis

Logo got it spot on when she argues that the sexualisation in media coverage and reporting trivialises the actual achievements in the sport.

My DD will never be thought as well of as the gymnasts or the rowers

It's a major shame if anyone validates themselves solely with reference to the sport they play. In sports terms I will never be thought of as well as any sportsman or woman whatsoever. Frankly I don't care.

Dancing is often done in blingy costumes and is very physical.

Why the hang up about whether something is a "sport"? (I'm not suggesting dance ought to be included in the Olympics by the way). There is a reason why it's called the Olympic Games and not Olympic Sports.

I appreciate and acknowledge the efforts that the players and coaches have put in to reach an elite level on their chosen sport.
I do find the clothes worn by most teams oddly skimpy. And having watched matches on the TV with men, it's obvious that their attention is not on the skill of the players.

I think you're seeing sexist attitudes where there are none, VPVM. But it is puzzling - given that they're allowed to wear shorts and shirts and the sand in the bits argument clearly doesn't work, why on earth do so many teams opt for bikinis?

My DD will never be thought as well of as the gymnasts or the rowers

I really, really hope that changes.

But it's not about the 'rankings' of these sports, but about the gender attitudes. I think we have a problem in gymnastics too. I'm no expert, but some of the commentary on these young and amazingly athletic girls can get a bit creepy. I remember someone in the last Olympics (I think) describing the floor routines of two girls who were both brilliant, and one was like sort of cold, virgin precision while the other was described in terms of sexy passionate movement. Real Madonna/Whore stuff. Both girls were young and it felt really inappropriate - plus, I don't think they'd remotely have used the same terminology about the men. (I wish I could remember more accurately who they were, as I'm sure I could then find the clip!)

I haven't read the entire thread but I've just had a look at what men wear for beach volleyball - baggy tops and shorts. How on earth can anyone argue that wearing what is essentially a bikini is about the athlete's comfort/functionality!? If that was the case, wouldn't men be topless and wearing skimpy shorts?

ALSO, while I'm on a rant, the description of women athletes' success as a consequence of the effort put in by the men in their lives is driving me mad!!

I like this article: www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/women-olympians-dont-need-men-to-be-badass_us_57a87489e4b03ba68012ccbb

It seems to me that beach volleyball needs to be reclaimed from the sexist attitudes and well done to your daughter for becoming a top athlete, vpvbm, and playing a part in that.

VPVBM - who is belittling the effort of someone at the top of their sport? No-one is belittling effort, just some clothing choices. I think most golfers dress like twats but they are good at what they do.