On 18 July 2021, the Norwegian women’s handball team had to face unspeakable atrocities during their Olympic qualifying match against Spain. The Norwegian team had challenged a rule that forces its players to wear bikini bottoms in competition. Not abiding this regulation resulted in an astonishing outcome – the players of the team were compelled to pay a fine of $177 by the European Handball Association for “violating international handball uniform requirements”, as reported by The New York Times.
What’s the violation you ask.
The women wore mid-thigh elastic shorts! Isn’t that a sin, a crime, an absolute disgrace to the world of sports? Shorts that would have been acceptable for male, but not for female handball players. The requirement that makes bikini bottoms a compulsory piece of clothing for the women is not only nonsensical, but simultaneously demeaning. There is clearly little performance logic behind the sexist and bizarre rules that women. These rules are inevitably the reason why young girls are often discouraged to continue into competitive sports past their teenage years.
In my eyes, the entire idea encompassing the requirements for women’s clothing shout be eradicated. It’s not only ridiculing, but also inherently is an attempt at controlling women’s bodies. This policy that surrounds the requirements to be met by women don’t only exist in sports.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I came across an alarming photo of Ukrainian army marching female soldiers in heels. I’ll give you guys sometime to let that sink in: Soldiers in heels. These unwritten rules that women must wear heels or skirts in workplaces and professional environments is outrageous.
Let’s be honest, this really isn’t anyone else’s business but ours!