Beach Volleyball: What Women Wear

[itself]

Ok gals, why do women wear bikinis when playing beach volleyball, and the men wear shorts and tank tops? This really bums me out. I mean, would they make the men wear speedo bottoms? No.

I love watching May and Walsh play at the Olympics, but find it so insulting that they are forced to wear what they wear.

Lisa

[SadieKate]

Don't get me started.

[redrhodie]

I vote for Speedos for men. Fair is fair.

[Zen]

Don't get me started.

Me neither.

[Veronica]

I like what the women wear. They are in incredible shape. They look like real women, unlike the gymnasts. I wish the men's was skimpier. And it's stated in the rules how long their uniforms have to be.

[kelownagirl]

Someone in another forum made a good point about the difficulties faced by women athletes from other countries/cultures (ie. Muslims) where being sexualized is not as acceptable as it in North America.

[Veronica]

The article I read where I got the picture of the regs. said that they do allow different uniforms for religious reasons - both of the players and countries they play in.

V.

[Brandy]

I like what the women wear. They are in incredible shape.

Same here. If you've ever watched a beach volleyball match...ummm...that's pretty standard.

[Grog]

My husband is actually bothered by the women's beach volleyball. We both dislike seeing people's illiac crest and the crease leading to their pubic area on display.

We had the same reaction when the American men won the 4X100m freestyle relay last night: one of the guys had his swimsuit (bib style) down on his hips so low that you could have seen his pubic hair if he had any. I was thinking: "Dude, your grandmother is watching you on TV right now!!" Just a bit too much. Sure they have nice bodies and spectacular abs, but some things I'd rather imagine than see.

But TV ratings dominate the olympics, not critical gender studies. They were showing a lot more of beach volleyball than cycling road race the other day.

[maillotpois]

Good lord - I got all ticked off about that last night and "he" just did not get it. How do I know the women don't like wearing that? Well, maybe they do, but RR's right - fair is fair. I had expected speedos and was VERY disappointed.

[kelownagirl]

Someone told me that the BVB (women's I'm assuming) was the first thing to sell out at the Olympics. It's stupid. Playboy magazine is popular too but it has no place in sports.