Feminism: chat
Paralympian Olivia Breen is told her sprint briefs are too short
RaspberryRipplesofLard · 19/07/2021 07:08
www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jul/19/paralympian-olivia-breen-dismayed-after-being-told-sprint-briefs-too-short
I’m in two minds about this story. Obviously my immediate reaction is that officials can F off, commenting on a female athlete’s clothing. Would they do the same to a male athlete?
My second thought, on looking at the photo, is that her bum is barely covered and from the back you can quite likely see a lot of bum cheek (for lack of a better term). So why are female athletes required to expose so much more of themselves than their male counterparts who wear knee length shorts?
Other than Tom Daley’s micro trunks, I’m struggling to think of any event where the men are as exposed as the women. It can’t be for athletic advantage or you can guarantee the men would be doing it to. So why? Is this a feminist issue?
Oh and on a separate note, Olivia Breen is an outstanding athlete and see the irony in starting a thread about her shorts rather than her talent. Olivia - if you see this, you are amazing.
BalloonSlayer · 19/07/2021 07:30
Well isn't the point that she is not "required to expose so much more of herself..." but that she is choosing to and people think she is exposing too much.
The athletics was on the other day and I wasn't really watching but there was a long jumper who was Spanish, i actually stopped what I was doing and watched her jump because she was so incredibly beautiful it took my attention.
The camera close up after she had landed was of her exposed bum cheeks as her very very short shorts had gone right up her bum. I could imagine the ribald comments that would have been uttered in many homes across the country and felt somewhat dismayed. Fair play to her, though, she can wear what she likes. I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing what you are comfy competing in but the cameras get so close I think anything like that is exaggerated a thousandfold.
For what it's worth I think male divers' trunks are totally inappropriate.
RaspberryRipplesofLard · 19/07/2021 07:39
I agree with you about the male diver’s trunks. I’m there to watch the diving not to be gripped with anxiety about their junk falling out 
They must have bloody good waxers too.
I think the issue is one, not so much of Olivia Breen’s shorts as to the disparity between male and female athletes’ clothing. Clearly the women ‘need’ to cover their breasts but when it comes to covering their genitals, why do women have a tiny bikini brief and men have full length shorts?
Youarestillintherunning · 19/07/2021 07:45
I'll apologise in advance because I know next to nothing about professional sports. But it's a choice, right? If she wanted to wear the full length shorts she would be allowed? If that is the case, and she has chosen to wear the small shorts then no, it isn't sexist at all. Tiny athletic shorts are a popular choice for young women. If the tiny shorts are mandatory for the women, then yes, sexist. IMO obviously
BalloonSlayer · 19/07/2021 07:46
Linford Christie's running attire was the subject of many jokes. And wasn't there a photo of a rowing team where you could clearly see all of their genitals through their outfits.
But I suppose the difference is when it's men people think "ha ha" or "eww" and when it women people think "phwoar" or 'she's parading herself."
MythicalBiologicalFennel · 19/07/2021 07:52
@MilkTwoSugarsThanks
A lot of athletes wear this kind of pants so I imagine they must be aerodynamic or whatever.
I could never wear something like that as they are so revealing -excuse the bluntness but I am thinking labia, pubic hair etc. One of the many reasons why I am not an elite athlete
MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 19/07/2021 07:56
A lot of athletes wear this kind of pants so I imagine they must be aerodynamic or whatever.
I don't totally disagree, but I still think any athlete, male or female, should be asked to wear shorts that least cover their arse cheeks. I think any male athlete would be told shorts that short are inappropriate too.
nettie434 · 19/07/2021 07:57
I just looked at photographs of Greg Rutherford and his shorts go halfway down his thighs. I think what this - and the other thread about beach volleyball - show is power of sponsors to influence what men and women athletes wear.
It's odd that the official should have commented. At this level, everyone will be wearing official clothing so how could her shorts been unsuitable to wear when competing?
PearPickingPorky · 19/07/2021 08:01
They look similar to most other female athletic shorts worn, they may be slightly smaller but it's hardly significantly different. Nothing like as different as the discrepancy between men's and women's style.
I don't think it's a choice, an Olympic female volleyball team have just been told that they are not allowed to wear (small) cycling shorts to compete in, they must wear tiny briefs instead (yet men wear shorts).
There are some very sexist clothing regulations in the Olympics.
AuntieStella · 19/07/2021 08:05
Well isn't the point that she is not "required to expose so much more of herself..." but that she is choosing to and people think she is exposing too much
Exactly.
Sportswear is reflecting choices in wider society.
The beach volleyball players are still in bikinis, even though rule changes some years ago approved a lot more kit options.
This runner is is shorts even shorter than the gym knickers that many female athletes choose (yes, choose, there are lots of options for kit and athletes go for the ones they like best out of those which function well)
AuntieStella · 19/07/2021 08:06
I don't think it's a choice, an Olympic female volleyball team have just been told that they are not allowed to wear (small) cycling shorts to compete in, they must wear tiny briefs instead (yet men wear shorts)
Can you link - that's against the international governing body rules, and the Olympic ones. Must be a national team decision (many do house the bikini) but I'm interested in which country has imposed this, rather than it coming from the players
Megasausagehead · 19/07/2021 08:11
AuntieStella · 19/07/2021 08:19
Yes, I was on that thread.
The teams won't be disqualified if they follow the kit rules, and they include shorts and sleeved tops. For volleyball.
Wasnt that thread about handball? (I think I got muddled on it as well as everyone else)
I'm not sure what the permitted kit options are for handball
BigFatLiar · 19/07/2021 08:21
Volleyball players have the choice of what they wear or at least their team does.
Beach volleyball, which is played with two players instead of six, grabbed the attention of TV viewers in part because the female players wore bikini bottoms. Players carried that tradition into the Olympics as well, usually over the concerns of some viewers who thought it exploited the players. In 2011, the FIVB gave beach players the option to cover up a bit with shorts and tank tops. They always had the option to don a hat, visor or sunglasses. Players must wear a 10-centimeter long No. 1 or 2 on the chest or bottoms.
As some have said many athletes wear longer skin-tight clothes which can also be controversial as they can be made of materials to ease wind/water resistance. Wouldn't make a difference to me my 100m would be measured with a calendar not a stop watch but for a top athlete fractions of a second count.
BigFatLiar · 19/07/2021 08:34
I'm not sure what the permitted kit options are for handball
img.ehf.eu/owi/v2020/ResourceImage.aspx?raid=61697
Essentially T-shirt and shorts.
StCharlotte · 19/07/2021 08:45
@BalloonSlayer
The athletics was on the other day and I wasn't really watching but there was a long jumper who was Spanish, i actually stopped what I was doing and watched her jump because she was so incredibly beautiful it took my attention.
The camera close up after she had landed was of her exposed bum cheeks as her very very short shorts had gone right up her bum. I could imagine the ribald comments that would have been uttered in many homes across the country and felt somewhat dismayed. Fair play to her, though, she can wear what she likes. I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing what you are comfy competing in but the cameras get so close I think anything like that is exaggerated a thousandfold.
For what it's worth I think male divers' trunks are totally inappropriate.
I agree regarding long jumpers. There is always the camera shot you refer to and I always wonder why they don't wear "boy" shorts.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.