The Norwegian Beach Handball Team Has Been Fined For Refusing To Wear Bikinis
Yes, this is a real headline. No, we’re not joking. The Norwegian beach handball team was threatened with fines from the International Handball Federation (IHF) after they stated that they’d like like to wear shorts as opposed to bikini bottoms – their current uniform.
The team’s preference came as players said that they felt the lower half of their uniforms were too revealing, and made them feel unnecessarily sexualised, and uncomfortable whilst playing on their periods. However, the rules according to the International Handball Federation state that “female athletes must wear bikini bottoms … with a close fit and cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg” – despite the fact that the men’s team can wear shorts as part of their official uniform. Talks of making the change from bikini bottoms to shorts in the past had led to previous threats of disqualification, although this has never been acted upon.
Whilst the team had agreed to continue playing in their current uniform, as dictated by the regulatory body, the Norway squad opted to wear shorts to their bronze final match against Spain. Making the decision as a silent demonstration against the uniform rules, the European Handball Federation (EHF) made the decision to fine the team €1500 for wearing “improper clothing,” with their statement adding that the shorts worn were “not according to the Athlete Uniform Regulations defined in the IHF Beach Handball Rules of the Game.”
It’s been reported that the Norwegian Handball Federation has said that they would pay the fine for the team, with the Federation’s Twitter page posting a picture of the team in shorts, writing:
“We are very proud of these girls who during the European Championships raised their voices and announced that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We at NHF stand behind you and support you. Together we will continue to fight to change the rules for clothing, so that players can play in the clothes they are comfortable with.”
Norway’s Sports Minister, Abid Raja, criticised the decision to fine the team, adding that it was “completely ridiculous” and that attitudes should be changing with the times. Whilst it’s brilliant to see Norway supporting their women’s team, it’s important to address the real problem: Why are shorts deemed appropriate for the men’s team, but not for the women’s? Make it make sense.
One might say it’s pretty obvious who created the rule, and it’s fair to say that there’s no reasonable explanation why the women’s uniform couldn’t match that of the men’s team, other than for the benefit of the male gaze.
In 2021, how are we still prioritising the viewing pleasure of men over the wellbeing and comfort of literal athletes?
Image credit: Norwegian Handball Federation
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