Associations and organizers of beach sports have to justify themselves again and again because their dress code often sexualises women. In men’s teams, on the other hand, the players wear shorts that almost reach their knees. A beach handball event is now causing severe criticism.
The controversial dress code has long been known from beach volleyball: women there had to wear bikini for a long time, and since 2004 there has even been an official rule that women’s trousers on the side are only seven centimeters wide. This has finally been over since 2012, women can now wear knee-length shorts and shirts just like men.
In other sports, however, this insight has not yet taken place. The Norwegian beach handball players had to find out at the European Championships in Bulgaria: Before the tournament, the team decided to play in shorts because they felt sexualized and uncomfortable in the shorts. But it was also clear to the players: This is officially not allowed – and they could face a penalty.
The dress code in beach handball is as precise as it was previously in beach volleyball: The tournament equipment for women consists of “a top, bikini bottoms and possible accessories”. When it comes to the bottoms, the difference between men’s and women’s equipment becomes clear: “The shorts, provided they are not cut too casually, can be longer, but not longer than 10 cm above the knee. Players must wear bikini bottoms as shown in the attached illustration They must have a body-hugging cut, with a high leg cut. The side width must not exceed 10 cm. “
Players want to play in shorts – the association threatens to be disqualified
The Norwegian players wanted to violate this dress code. Initially, the association announced a fine of 50 euros per person and game – in the sum of 4850 euros, which the Norwegian association would have accepted and paid. Before the opening game, it should suddenly have been more drastic measures: Instead of a fine, the team should be disqualified if it competes in shorts, as the player Katinka Haltvik told the Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
An option that was not up for discussion for the players. They decided to compete in their shorts after all, but had reserved a clear answer: In the last game, when the Norwegian team reached the “small final” for third place, they simply wore shorts – a signal that should also have been noticed in the handball association.
The European handball federation EHF does not want to know anything about the disqualification: The team would have been made aware of the list of penalties again, but there was never any disqualification in the room.
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I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
