BY JORDAN DINARDO
In case you missed it: Norwegian women’s beach handball team was fined for refusing to wear bikinis
WOMEN ATHLETE’S UNIFORM REGULATIONS AND HISTORIC SPORTS SUBJECTION
In the bronze medal game of the European Beach Handball Championships, the women’s Norwegian team competed against Spain wearing spandex shorts rather than the typical bikini bottoms these athletes are usually seen in. As a result of being violating the athlete uniform regulations defined in the International Handball Federation’s (IHF) Beach Handball Rules of the Game, the Disciplinary Commission of the European Handball Federation (EHF) fined the Norwegian Handball Federation (NHF) 150 euros for each player, equating to a total of 1500 euros ($1700).
The IHF’s athlete uniform regulations require women beach handball players to wear midriff-styled tank tops that must be close fitting with deep cutaway armholes on the back. Additionally, t-shirts worn under the team’s official tank top are not allowed. For their bottoms, women are required to wear bikinis with a close fit and cut with an upward angle toward the top of the leg. The side width of the bikini must be of a maximum of 10 centimeters, 3.9 inches.
As an effort to alleviate the negative attention on this legal issue and acknowledge the Norwegian women handball team’s position, the EHF donated the received fine to a major international sports foundation in support of equality for women and girls in sports. As a result of the motion submitted by the NHF, discussions around future beach handball uniforms have occurred amongst the EHF Congress and IHF. While this incidence shows promise for systemic change, the NHF has been petitioning the IHF to let women athletes wear spandex since 2006.
Similar controversies around uniform criticism and standards have been raised in the past within other professional and olympic women’s sports. For example in 2012, the International Volleyball Federation and Olympic women’s beach volleyball uniform regulations changed to accommodate cultural and religious sensitivities, allowing for other athletes like the Egyptian women’s volleyball team to participate in competitions wearing hijabs and long sleeves. More recently and just a few days prior to the Norwegian handball bikini controversy, Olivia Breen, a two-time Paralympic world champion for Britain, was told her competition bottoms were “too short” and “inappropriate” after she competed in a long jump event at the English Championships leading up to the 2021 Paralympics in Tokyo. History clearly demonstrates women athletes have been subjected to a great deal of scrutiny around what they put on their body while competing.
As an avid beach volleyball player residing in San Diego, California, I play in a variety of “outfits'' from a bikini in the thick of summer to leggings and a hoodie when I’m desperate to play in the winter. When it comes to the attire I play in, I value function and comfort above all else. Women should be able to wear what they want to wear while playing the sport they love, whether that’s due to cultural, religious, or personal reasons.
The author of this article, Jordan DiNardo, resides in San Diego, CA and is pursuing a PhD in related matters via UCSD
RESEARCH
- In the bronze medal game against Spain on Sunday, July 18 the team of Norway played with shorts that were not in compliance with the Athlete Uniform Regulations defined in the International Handball Federation (IHF) Beach Handball Rules of the Game.
- Accordingly, the Disciplinary Commission of the European Handball Federation (EHF) fined the Norwegian Handball Federation (NHF) 150 euros for each player, equating to a total of 1500 euros ($1700).
- Given the considerable attention this legal instance received, the EHF donated the received fine to a major international sports foundation, which supports equality for women and girls in sports. acknowledging and joining the players’ position around equality in athletics.
- Decisions regarding the future of uniforms in beach handball were already initiated at the EHF Congress back in April.
- “Based on a motion submitted by the Norwegian Handball Federation, the topic was discussed at the EHF Congress and the Congress responded positively,” explained EHF President Michael Wiederer.
- “With the consent of the Norwegian federation it was agreed that an initiative for a clearly structured motion will be worked out on the level of the Beach Handball Commission already at its first meeting in August and coordinated with the IHF.
- Change must really come from the IHF
- NHF has been petitioning the IHF to let women wear spandex since 2006 and it’s only being addressed now!!
https://beacheuro.eurohandball.com/news/en/ehf-donates-beach-handball-fine/
- In support of this team, singer-song-writer Pink offered to pay the fine.
- Pink’s twitter post:
- I’m VERY proud of the Norwegian female beach handball team FOR PROTESTING THE VERY SEXIST RULES ABOUT THEIR “uniform”. The European handball federation SHOULD BE FINED FOR SEXISM. Good on ya, ladies. I’ll be happy to pay your fines for you. Keep it up.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/26/sport/pink-norwegian-handball-fine-intl-scli-spt/index.html
IHF ATHLETE UNIFORM REGULATIONS
- The women’s tops (a midriff design) must be close fitting as well, with deep cutaway armholes on the back, always respecting the space for the required “brandings.” T-shirts that are worn under the team’s official tank top are not allowed.
- Female athletes must wear bikini bottoms that are in accordance with the enclosed graph, with a close fit and cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg. The side width must be of a maximum of 10 centimeters.