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People Are Confused And Enraged About The Decision To Fine The Norwegian Women’s Handball Team For Choosing To Wear Shorts Instead Of Bikini Bottoms
When you go exercising or doing some kind of sport, you decide for yourself what you want to wear and what you would be comfortable with. But for professional athletes, it’s different, as they have uniforms that are appropriate for the sport they do, representing their country and oftentimes displaying sponsors’ logos.
However, the national women’s handball team of Norway has had enough of their uniforms as they thought they were too revealing, and in protest, they wore shorts instead of bikini bottoms. Now the team is facing a fine of €1,500 ($1,766) for breaking uniform regulations.
RELATED:
Norway’s women’s beach handball team is being fined €1,500 for appearing at a match wearing shorts instead of bikini bottoms
Image credits: Expressen
According to the International Handball Federation’s rule book, “Athletes’ uniforms and accessories contribute to helping athletes increase their performance as well as remain coherent with the sportive and attractive image of the sport.”
When describing what the bottom part of women’s uniforms should look like, it is said, “Female athletes must wear bikini bottoms that are 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 centimetres.” Meanwhile, men’s shorts “if not too baggy, can be longer but must remain 10 centimetres above the kneecap.”
The International Handball Federation’s rules state that women “must wear bikini bottoms” but men are allowed longer shorts
Image credits: handballandslagene
The Norwegian players spoke up that they feel these uniforms are too revealing, making them feel uncomfortable and unnecessarily sexualized.
Before the championship started, Norway approached the European Handball Federation asking to let their team play in shorts; however, they were not allowed to and were reminded that breaching of the rules would be punished by fines or disqualification.
Women on the Norwegian beach handball team felt uncomfortable wearing them, so they wore shorts despite knowing that they would get fined
Image credits: norwaybeachhandballwomen
The Norwegian team complied with regulations until the game with Spain for the bronze medal in Varna, Bulgaria, where they wore shorts.
On Monday, the European Handball Association’s Disciplinary Commission concluded that the Norwegian team violated the athlete uniform regulations and each member was fined €150 ($176), for a total of €1,500 ($1,766).
The Norwegian Handball Federation was in full support of their country’s team and will continue to fight these unnecessary clothing rules
Image credits: The Home of Handball
The Norwegian Handball Federation president Kare Geir Lio was completely on the country’s players’ side and said, “Of course we would pay any fine. We are all in the same boat.”
His view on the uniforms was that “The most important thing is to have equipment that athletes are comfortable with.”
Image credits: The Home of Handball
Although Norway didn’t win a medal, the Norwegian Handball Federation wrote in an Instagram post, “We are very proud of these girls who, during the European Championships in Beach Handball, raised their voices and announced that enough is enough! We, the Norwegian Handball Federation, stand behind you and support you. Together we will continue to fight to change the international regulations for clothing, so that players can play in the clothes they are comfortable with!”
Image credits: LeneWestgaard
Social media has reacted in support of the Norwegian athletes and even politicians such as Lane Westgaard-Halle voiced their opinions.
People were surprised that the athletes were forced to wear bikini bottoms by the International Handball Federation’s rules and considered it to be unfair and discriminatory.
How do you feel about the women being fined and the Federation saying it is because they were not wearing the proper uniform? Do you support the Norwegian team or do you think it’s not that big of a deal? We would like to hear your thoughts!
People on the internet were calling the rule absurd and were of the opinion that athletes should wear what helps them perform the best
What do you think ?
Bee / she/her 4 years ago
What the--? They have to wear bikini bottoms while men can wear shorts? At first I thought it was to make it easier for them to move, but then why can men wear less revealing clothes? Fully support those ladies.
Eunice Probert 4 years ago
Because it attracts perving men and so pushes their revenue up. I support those women too, it's a disgusting and sexist rule. It has no place in 2021.
Load More Replies...
Lola 4 years ago
I’m sorry but many people have supported this for years, including the players. Unfortunately, for some people it is never about the sport and only about looking at women in bikinis jumping around and that’s why the industry is so mad about them wearing shorts. At the end of the day, it’s all about revenues. Sometimes it only takes one person to stand up and change the rules forever. Hopefully this is one of those cases.
Christina Uhlir 4 years ago
Exactly, many women are fine with being sexualized, sexualize themselves, and than complain they are not taken seriously. Good for you Norwegian women, I'm glad that you are supported by your country.
Load More Replies...
Troux 4 years ago (edited)
Just to add absurdity to this whole thing: This came in the same week that a world champion athlete was told that her bikini bottoms were too revealing and she needed to wear shorts. https://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/57887715
Bisexual Tiger 4 years ago
This is absolutely awful. What is the problem with wearing shorts instead of bikini bottoms? I would see more sense in a rule AGAINST bikini bottoms while you play -_-
Miss Frankfurter 4 years ago
Unbelievably sexist and exploitative using these ATHLETES to promote the "attractiveness of the sport". They're not there to be attractive. They're there to compete in an incredibly difficult sport. Volleyball at this level is challenging enough. But having to do the foot work and jumps on sand is even more challenging. Indoor volleyball athletes aren't treated like this. They wear shorts. Why aren't they being held to the same standards and wear teeny bikini bottoms? I guess it isn't a requirement for them to promote the "attractiveness of the sport". Maybe all the women's teams should decide to wear these shorts too. Thumb of their noses at the Federation. Everyone is wearing the shorts. What are you gonna do about it?🤨
Sara Diogo 4 years ago
The first picture tells it all: men's uniforms are practical, women's uniforms are revealing. Well done for standing against this!
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
The simple fact of the matter is, it's men making the decision about what women are allowed to wear, and they find it hard to w*nk to a woman in shorts. Maybe every country should withdraw and the guys in charge wear the bikinis and the rules are changed
Yara Balabanova 4 years ago
This has been going on in Europe for a while now, so disgusting. Women are being sexualized on purpose in this sport and it's all about money, which is why it has been so difficult to change these clothing rules
Bee / she/her 4 years ago
What the--? They have to wear bikini bottoms while men can wear shorts? At first I thought it was to make it easier for them to move, but then why can men wear less revealing clothes? Fully support those ladies.
Eunice Probert 4 years ago
Because it attracts perving men and so pushes their revenue up. I support those women too, it's a disgusting and sexist rule. It has no place in 2021.
Load More Replies... Lola 4 years ago
I’m sorry but many people have supported this for years, including the players. Unfortunately, for some people it is never about the sport and only about looking at women in bikinis jumping around and that’s why the industry is so mad about them wearing shorts. At the end of the day, it’s all about revenues. Sometimes it only takes one person to stand up and change the rules forever. Hopefully this is one of those cases.
Christina Uhlir 4 years ago
Exactly, many women are fine with being sexualized, sexualize themselves, and than complain they are not taken seriously. Good for you Norwegian women, I'm glad that you are supported by your country.
Load More Replies... Troux 4 years ago (edited)
Just to add absurdity to this whole thing: This came in the same week that a world champion athlete was told that her bikini bottoms were too revealing and she needed to wear shorts. https://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/57887715
Bisexual Tiger 4 years ago
This is absolutely awful. What is the problem with wearing shorts instead of bikini bottoms? I would see more sense in a rule AGAINST bikini bottoms while you play -_-
Miss Frankfurter 4 years ago
Unbelievably sexist and exploitative using these ATHLETES to promote the "attractiveness of the sport". They're not there to be attractive. They're there to compete in an incredibly difficult sport. Volleyball at this level is challenging enough. But having to do the foot work and jumps on sand is even more challenging. Indoor volleyball athletes aren't treated like this. They wear shorts. Why aren't they being held to the same standards and wear teeny bikini bottoms? I guess it isn't a requirement for them to promote the "attractiveness of the sport". Maybe all the women's teams should decide to wear these shorts too. Thumb of their noses at the Federation. Everyone is wearing the shorts. What are you gonna do about it?🤨
Sara Diogo 4 years ago
The first picture tells it all: men's uniforms are practical, women's uniforms are revealing. Well done for standing against this!
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
The simple fact of the matter is, it's men making the decision about what women are allowed to wear, and they find it hard to w*nk to a woman in shorts. Maybe every country should withdraw and the guys in charge wear the bikinis and the rules are changed
Yara Balabanova 4 years ago
This has been going on in Europe for a while now, so disgusting. Women are being sexualized on purpose in this sport and it's all about money, which is why it has been so difficult to change these clothing rules
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