Beach Handball Players Are Fined for Rejecting Bikini Uniforms
Norway women’s beach handball players rejected wearing bikini bottoms as uniform while playing during the European championship game, and for that, each player got a fine of 150 euros.
After the Norwegian women’s beach handball team wore shorts instead of the required bikini bottoms at the championship, the European Handball Federation (EHF) fined the team. They got a 1.500 euros fine in total, as the EHF fined each of the ten players 150 euros. If converted to United States Dollars, the players got fined $176 each, adding up to 1760 dollars.
The Federation states that the women were using “improper clothing.” According to the International Handball Federation (IHF) regulations, the female athlete has to wear a bikini bottom that contains a side width of a maximum of 3.9 inches. Also, the cut must be “cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg.”
Unbelievable! It’s 2021 and women can’t wear whatever they wish and feel comfortable in ‼️ 🇳🇴n women’s beach handball team 👏 https://t.co/0UbLjwOut1
— Melita (@Melitavandrer) July 20, 2021
The Norwegian Women’s Beach Handball team is facing fines for wanting to wear shorts instead of bikini bottoms. The bottoms are not to cover “more than 10cm on any sides.”
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) July 20, 2021
The men’s team wears shorts.
The sexualization of women athletes must stop. https://t.co/IZEzbrE0Iw
Bikini bottoms are less convenient in terms of mobility and comfort, mainly when playing handball, which requires jumps and tackles. Yet, men are allowed to wear shorts as long as it is above the knees and “not too baggy.” The International Handball Federation appears to show a double standard by not allowing shorts for the women’s uniforms and, in turn, by not requiring men to use speedos.
It’s stupid they were fined, butt they are so cool for refusing to wear something they do not feel comfortable in!
— Maartje (@MaartjesBlaBlah) July 20, 2021
A spokeswoman for the International Handball Federation, Jessica Rockstroh, claims that Norway is the only one complaining. Later, she added, “Globally, we know that other countries like to play in bikinis, for example, especially in South America.”
On the other hand, the team’s coach Eskil Berg Andreassen agrees with the Handball players. He shared with CNN that this attitude from the Federation can discourage women from playing the sport. He later explained, “It should be possible to choose. Not to say that they have to play like this. If someone wants to play in bikini bottoms, they have the right to choose.” People constantly sexualize women in sports regarding their uniform, which discourages them from practicing it.
The European Handball Association should be ashamed of themselves – Norwegian men’s and women’s teams side by side.
— Cromerty • Voiceover • Cake (@Cromerty) July 21, 2021
Do grow up pic.twitter.com/dPU9wYuj1z
Good morning to everyone – except for the people trying to force the Norwegian Women’s Handball team to compete in bikini bottoms vs. shorts.😤
— GOALS | Women’s Sports (@goals_sports_) July 18, 2021
There is also criticism of women athletes for wearing revealing clothes. Like the incident with the Paralympics sprinter and long-jumper Olivia Breen. The athlete shared that, “This official came up to me. Was just like, ‘I think your briefs are too revealing, and I think you should consider buying a new pair of shorts.'”
Unbelievable women are still being fines for what they do or don’t wear. I get that’s the uniform but why the difference shorts/pant length difference?? #Handball #womenshandball #uniform #sexist https://t.co/VZX15pjqta
— Amber Jade (@_AmberJade) July 21, 2021
Popstar Pink has offered to pay the “sexist” fines handed out to the Norwegian players. She even spoke out in support of the women’s team on Twitter.
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.
— P!nk (@Pink) July 25, 2021
I’m proud of the Norwegian women’s beach handball team.
— Shelly ‘First-Rate’ Verougstraete (@ShellyV_643) July 21, 2021
They were fined for wearing shorts instead of bikini bottoms?
LOL https://t.co/p6egNNqDqa
This double standard can prejudice women while competing, making them more focused on what to wear than on the sport itself. So in the bronze medal game against Spain on Sunday, Norway started to make a difference for women, specifically in sports.
Content Writer | Journalist
