Beach Handball Team Fined for Wearing Bike Shorts Instead of Bikini Bottoms in Championship Match

Federations have received increased pressure from spectators and athletes for a change in outdated uniform rules. The pressure has stemmed from the recent European Handball Championship debacle, which saw the Norway Beach Handball team fined for competing in bike shorts instead of bikini bottoms.

Image : ABC News, 2021.

The Norway Beach Handball team has received financial punishment for their uniform in the recent European Championship Match.

The Norway Beach Handball team chose not to follow the sexist uniform requirements in an attempt to advocate for “free choice within a standardised framework” (Norwegian Handball Federation, as cited in BBC News, 2021, para. 6).

The International Handball Federation has outlined uniform requirements in their document, Athletes Uniform Regulations, which all handball federations must enforce and follow. The document states that female athletes must wear close fit tops that are midriff designs. They must also wear bikini bottoms that “cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg. The side width must be a maximum of 10 centimetres” (International Handball Federation, 2014, p.91-92).

Image: International Handball Federation, 2021, p.93.

Meanwhile, male athletes must wear close fitted tank tops and shorts that remain 10 centimetres above the kneecap (International Handball Federation, 2014, p.91-92).

These specific and impartial rules contribute to the sexualisation of women in sport.

The International Handball Federation forces female athletes to wear bottoms that expose both their skin and bodies.

The International Handball Federation also does not allow freedom of choice when it comes to uniforms.

Nonetheless, the European Handball Federation said in a statement the uniform worn by the players were “not according to Athlete Uniform Requirements” (as cited in ABC News, 2021, para.2). Each player received a fine of 150 euros which equalled 1295 euros.

This is shameful behaviour from an international company.

The Norway Beach Handball team were penalised for their concealed uniforms and attempt to instil a positive and much-needed change in uniform policies.

The Norway Beach Handball team aimed to address and abolish the sexualisation of women in sport.

Why should individuals be penalised when they advocate for change?

More importantly, why should federations be allowed to send messages to our children and future generations about the uniforms they can and cannot wear?

In the same week, Paralympian Olivia Breen was penalised for her uniform. A track official told Breen that her bottoms were inappropriate because they were too short and too revealing.

Video: ESPN, 2021.

Uniforms should be able to assist athletes' mindsets and performances and correspond with their individual values.

As a community of strong and courageous leaders, we can abolish gendered uniform policies and empower our young female athletes to take control of their uniforms.

What can we do?

There are many ways that you can help eradicate the sexualisation of young girls in sport.

Sign our petition that aims to address and eradicate the sexualisation of young girls in sport. You can also share our petition on social media platforms and with your family, friends and colleagues.

Review local sports’ clubs uniform policies. If uniform policies ask for the female body to be exposed or for female athletes to wear a universal uniform that they are not comfortable with, contact us. We will reach out to the local club and help them to create socially acceptable and appropriate uniform policies.

Share our mission and vision statement and social media handles. As a collective, we can introduce more people to #BantheBikini and inform them about the inappropriate and vulgar uniform requirements our young girls have to parade in when they participate in sports.

References

ABC News. (2021). Pink offers to pay fines issued to Norway’s beach handball players for not wearing bikini bottoms. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-26/pink-offers-to-pay-fine-of-norway-beach-handball-team/100324376

BBC News. (2021). Pink offers to pay bikini bottoms fine for Norway women’s handball team. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-57967486

ESPN. (2021). GB’s Breen disgusted by official’s ‘too revealing’ comment [video]. https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/31848348

International Handball Federation. (2014). IX. Rules of the Game. https://www.ihf.info/sites/default/files/2019-05/0_09%20-%20Rules%20of%20the%20Game%20%28Beach%20Handball%29_GB.pdf