Tokyo Olympics: 2021 female athletes are being told what they can and can't wear

The 21st century is in full swing, but even today there are stereotypes about the dress code of female athletes around the world, and unfortunately, to tell female athletes what they can and cannot wear. There is nothing new in it.

The Norwegian women's handball team was recently fined 00 1,500. But what was their crime? She simply refused to wear a bikini to the European Championships.

The day before, another female para-athlete was told that her dress was "very short and in which everything is visible."

Here we take a look at some of these famous events and the reactions that followed.

Beach handball team fined for not wearing a bikini

The players of the Norwegian beach handball team complained that the clothes they were asked to wear were too uncomfortable.

So he chose to wear shorts to compete with Spain.

Before the start of the competition, the Norwegian team approached the International Handball Federation and demanded that women be allowed to wear shorts.

However, his request was not only rejected but he was also reminded that if the team chooses shorts during the game which is against the rules and each player will be fined 7 177.

The European Handball Federation (EHF) imposed the fine for "inappropriate dress" and said the Norwegian team competing in shorts did not comply with the rules.

Retaliatory criticism

But there was a strong reaction.

A lot of people have asked why women can't wear men's beach handball players if they can wear long, airy vests and shorts that reach to their thighs.

Care Gear Leu, head of the Norwegian Handball Federation, not only supported the women but also agreed to pay a fine. "The most important thing is to use clothes that make the players feel comfortable," Liu said.

"This should not be a problem in 2021," said Eric Surdahl, president of the Norwegian Volleyball Federation.

And the country's Minister of Culture and Sports Abid Raja tweeted: "It's completely ridiculous ... There is a need to change the conservative attitude in international sports.

For years, female athletes have complained about the difference in dress code at beach competitions, saying they consider themselves inferior and degraded in bikinis.

"Every sport needs rules," sports reporter Renata Mendonca told the Jaanisports. But when we start making rules just for women, that's a problem. "

"Unfortunately, there is a lot of sexism in sports and that's why so many great women stop playing," Tova Lee, a digital content creator and former lawyer told.

"It's not a matter of shorts. The problem is that even in 2021, women are being told what they can and cannot wear because women's bodies are still seen as an object of men's interest, giving everyone the right to vote. Got it. '

He said that women players are not taken seriously, they are seen as eye candy instead of professional players.

And Mendonca agrees: "There is no justification for bikinis. If women are allowed to play in shorts - the game will not change in any way - they will feel more comfortable."

Para-athlete's underwear described as 'too small and obscene'

But the Norwegian team is not the first to face this problem and will not be the last.

In fact, just a day before the fine, she was shocked when British para-athlete and double world champion Olivia Brain was asked to wear more appropriate shorts while competing in the English Championships.

The comment came from an official who said that "everything was visible" in his short underwear.

Brian decided to talk about it because he wanted to stop it from happening to others.

"When we are competing, we want it to be as light as possible, not too heavy and comfortable," he told the Jaanisports.

"That's what I've been wearing for nine years. I've never had a problem. We should only wear what we want to wear

"Women's bodies are considered a 'problem,'" Lee said. Our bodies are either 'inappropriate' or 'do not provide much entertainment.

Wearing the hijab and playing

The issue also surfaced in 2016 when a photo of the Rio Olympics was widely shared and commented on.

A photo of two volleyball players on the beach - one from Egypt and one from Germany ... Not because of the impressive talents of the sports but because of their seemingly 'contradictory cuts'. Some newspapers have even said that the picture "represents a clash of cultures."

Many people rejected the comment that it shows the harmony of the game.

Egypt's Doaa Al-Ghobashi was the first Olympian beach volleyball player to wear the hijab. At that time he had said, "I have been wearing hijab for 10 years ... Hijab does not keep me away from my favorite things and sports and beach volleyball is one of them.

But such a reaction to a picture indicates a big problem.

Hannah Smith, a British journalist at the time, wrote: "It doesn't matter what culture you come from, women's bodies and the way they are dressed are still considered public property." '

"No matter what you wear to play sports as a woman, the men who see you will always give their opinion of you."

Serena's catsuit

American tennis great Serena Williams dedicated the dress she wore at the 2018 French Open after her maternity leave to "all the mothers out there who are going through a difficult pregnancy."

Williams said the suit helped him deal with a blood clot, which he said put his life at stake.

So are things starting to change with more female athletes raising their voices?

Gymnast's full bodysuit

Breaking with tradition, German gymnast Sarah Voss decided to wear full clothes for the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in April 2021.

They did not go against the rules, but they did break the tradition.

Until then, only women and girls covered their legs in international gymnastics competitions for religious reasons.

She told the jaanisports she wanted to "be a model for young gymnasts who do not feel safe."

Voss also had the support of his country's sports authorities and two colleagues who joined the initiative.

He was praised by the German Federation for speaking out against sexual abuse in gymnastics.

Swimming cap

Although the journey of those who wear hats while swimming has not been easy, things are probably changing now.

The decision not to allow swimming caps designed for curly hair in international competitions can now be considered after the reaction.

Civil Cape says FINA, the organization of the World Water Sports Organization, has told them their hats are not appropriate because they are not made according to the "natural shape of the head".

But the comments drew criticism from many swimmers, with some saying it would discourage blacks from taking part in the sport.

As a result, Fina now says she is "reviewing the situation."

Women athletes are unlikely to be criticized for their clothing in the future.

But according to Leah, one thing we can still do to help is raised our voice whenever we see it happening.

Why? Because "we need to tell girls from an early age that women have a place in sports."