The debate over women's fashion in sports

A fine imposed on the Norwegian beach handball team for wearing “improper uniforms” has sparked controversy over women’s clothing at competitions. Also in Brazil, the Rio team already had the same problem, for wearing shorts instead of a bikini in the silver-medal dispute against Spain at the European Women’s Beach Handball Championship, in July, the Norwegian team was fined 1,500 euros (R). $9,200) by the European Handball Federation (EHF). According to the agency, the punishment was due to the non-compliance of the costumes with the regulations on the uniform of athletes specified in the IHF beach handball rules. [Federação Internacional de Handebol]Before the tournament Norway asked the European Union for permission to wear shorts, which was refused, with the warning that breaking the rules would be punished with fines. The team’s goalkeeper, Toni Leerstad, to DW. “But in the last game, we were ready to pay if we were fined. What’s the worst that could happen?” What turned out to be, in Leerstad’s words, was “crazy.” The event gained worldwide attention and American singer Pink offered to pay the fine. Mathematics has gained momentum.” Hopefully, we have started a trend,” said the Tokyo Games As a new platform, female athletes in many sports have long complained about what they see as gender-biased rules and double standards compared to their peers. Women are often forced to emphasize physical appearance over comfort, according to Geneva Sports and Human Rights, to please sponsors and sports directors. “First of all, if you are an athlete [alto] level, you want to be judged based on your performance. One thing is the function of what you wear and how it helps you physiologically. The other is mental: if you feel good, you will get good results. “The case of beach handball is not unique. In Tokyo, German gymnasts took a stand against the sexualization of their sport by performing the so-called attire, the uniform. They first wore a full-length suit in competitions in April. At the time, she said. One gymnast, Elizabeth Seitz, told DW she would like every athlete “to have a chance to decide what she wants to wear for herself. “In 2017, in Brazil, the CopaBeach/Cepraea sand handball team, from Rio de Janeiro, was threatened with losing a match by the WO, because the athletes refused to play in a bikini, and put shorts under them. Fear of obstacles for “men athletes” varies by sport to another Gymnastics allows full-body clothing, and this is what he wears the most.For women’s beach handball, the rules state that the uniform consists of “tops and bikinis, as well as possible accessories.” On the carpet protest the Norwegian team, the International Handball Federation, Who sets the rules for the sport, is likely to reconsider his dress. “I can’t think of any other consequences,” Leerstad said. According to her, no one, including the federation itself, seems to be convinced why such a dress code still exists. Sports historian Joanna Millis says that in some cases, rules are needed to ensure that the sport is fair and safe. But she says that in other cases, it is about controlling how a woman looks and how she is perceived.” in a male form [os cartolas] They wanted to make sure that the uniform makes it feminine, alluring and attractive to men. After all, who can forget how Sepp Blatter, former president of FIFA, football’s governing body, once suggested that players wear ‘skinny pants’ to increase the popularity of women’s football – the idea did not take effect, but the suggestion was clear. Roots in the Western culture of white males According to Millis, in addition to gender, it is necessary to take into account issues of race and religion.Beach handball, there was a “positive outcome” but she does not necessarily see it as a turning point, because sexual exploitation is part of a larger issue.” That these organizations are reluctant to make any changes gives the impression that they have to relinquish some power. It is men who run these organizations to a large extent. They are all rooted in the western white man’s culture. Mellis points to the fact that in Tokyo, Alice Deering, the first black swimmer to represent the UK at the Olympics, was forbidden to wear an afro to protect her hair. The hat, to fit the size of hair with braids, braids, curly and flyaway hair. But according to Vienna, the international body Governing sport, they don’t follow a ‘natural head shape.’ Echoes of Racial Physiognomy, co-host analyzes a podcast about the dangers of sport.” Swimming is a real public health concern. If people are unable to swim due to systemic racism or other forms of discrimination, it can lead to appalling rates of drowning – as it has already done. “Although restrictions have been removed in some sports, such as boxing, other Muslim women can be fined or even banned from wearing the hijab. “In some societies, culture dictates what you can and cannot wear,” Harvey points out. If you ban the hijab[designação genérica para todos os tipos de véus usados por muçulmanas] In an international competition, not many women will be able to participate. Clothing is also an issue of access in some cultures. “More diversity in decision-making to solve the problem, both Millis and Harvey agree that sporting bodies need more women and more diversity in their decision-making processes. The voice of athletes” notes Harvey. You need to talk to many, especially women, all over the world. “There are aspects of more conservative societies that need to be taken into account so that they do not lead to exclusion.” Women can influence decisions, but they are not the ones who take them. The more variety in the decision-making process, the better. If there are ten Swiss people making decisions about what women can or cannot wear, this is not the process we want. “According to the Norwegian player Leerstad, there is no better time to rethink it: ‘We show that by doing what we did, we have had a lot of support. Any other team or athlete would get it, too. Now that we’ve brought up this topic, there’s a lot of focus on it. It’s really time to make a change.” Author: Jonathan CraneQuestions, criticism and suggestions? speak with us