Megan Turner
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In what one Norwegian commentator called a “panties crisis,” the Norwegian women’s beach handball team’s rebellion against what they say is uncomfortable and degrading attire, has been put to an end.
At the European Championships in beach handball, the game attire has landed in the spotlight with specific rules for how the women should be dressed, according to the sport’s regulations.
“Women should wear a bikini where the top should be a tight-fitting sports bra with deep openings at the arms,” the international regulations state. “The bottom must not be more than ten centimeters on the sides.”
The Norwegian women’s handball team isn’t advancing into the finals, but before Denmark and Germany became finalists, the ladies of Norway had something to say.
The Norwegian Beach Handball Association has long been pushing for the international regulation demanding tight-fitting sports bras and bikini bottoms to be abolished, Indian Sports 11 reports. Before the European Championships in Bulgaria, they planned to protest against the regulations and play in thigh-length tights.
The Norwegian ladies were prepared to pay the fines that the violation would entail. But as the premiere match against Hungary approached, things got more complicated.
“First we were told about a fine of 50 euros per person per match, something that would have landed us a fine of about 4,850 euros. We accepted that”, player Katinka Haltvik told the national broadcaster NRK. “However, just before the match we were told that we will be disqualified if we play like that. So we had to go with the bikini bottoms.”
The European Handball Federation EHF explained that they have merely clarified the list of penalties for the Norwegian Federation, but that disqualification was never an option.
“We have lost players due to the suits. The players tell me they are uncomfortable, feel naked, and watched. It is a sport with a lot of movement and you are hindered by the bikini,” French national team manager, Valérie Nicolas said, backing Norway. “There is also discomfort associated with menstruation and not least religion.”
Its the only reason. I watch women’s beach volleyball hell yeah
12 your age or iq?
Personal huh google it smart ass
Imagine spending your life to get good enough at something to make it into international competition, only to be told, “play almost naked or not at all”. Never mind how good you are at what you do. You’re still just a women and we want to over-sexualize you”. Where are the women’s rights people when you actually need them.
Supporting trans athletes.
Yup. Crazy world.
Nope. Trying not to offend muslims. Look at swimming. For decades swimmers of both sexes set records wearing speedo swimsuits and then all of a sudden they started wearing these swimsuits which were basically full body pants. Records that stood for generations fell by the wayside due to the slicker surface and no one talked about how unfair this advantage was. Of course, they also are the least sexy way to swim and that’s what mattered.
What the heck is your point? They should asterisk new records? Force females to wear next to nothing during competition because you find it sexy? Muslims? I think the swim suits are for competitive advantage not muslims.
Uh, they did change the rules on swim suits and outlawed the full body suits…… where you been chief?
LOL
Seems legit. Ratings will fall drastically if/when they make that change, which will prove their point while simultaneously reducing their exposure (pun intended).
What the hell is hand ball?
No idea what beach handball is…I know hand ball they play on courts.
Would love to see some 12cm hog-shlonged transgender athlete in one of those 10cm bottoms. Not really, but that would end the requirement, except in California.
LOL!!
Haha!
My honest opinion, his pecker is huge he ain’t turning trans
LOL! you win the internet today
If Megan doesn’t win a Pulitzer for this, then sexism is real.
Can’t blame the women for not wanting to play 97.2% naked.
The fact that the longer shorts were disallowed is absurd.
Bunch of perverts if you ask me…let the women wear what THEY WANT. Not what some pervert Sandusky type thinks.