In Paris, a shift in beach volleyball attire has stirred up a storm among TV viewers. The new uniforms are being worn at events held right at the base of the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Olympic fans have expressed their frustration on social media after beach volleyball players swapped out their traditional bikini bottoms for leggings. Previously, the International Olympic Committee had strict rules requiring women to wear bikini bottoms with a side width of no more than 7 cm.
This standard has now been replaced, allowing for more modest leggings, which has ignited a fiery debate online.
Many viewers have been accused of sexism and objectification for their negative reactions. Some complaints seemed focused solely on the change in attire, revealing a disconcerting desire to gawk at athletes rather than appreciate their performance.
One user lamented, “So I’ve had to watch blokes dressed as women at the opening ceremony and now women wearing leggings in beach volleyball. Worst Olympics ever.”
Another added, “Add it to the list of reasons as to why I’m not watching the Olympics.” The frustration from some has even escalated to statements like, “Leggings in beach volleyball is a god d*** crime.”
On the flip side, many social media users have defended the change, criticizing those who objected as sexist.
One supporter commented, “It’s about time the women’s uniforms in volleyball matched the men’s… the most sexist outfits in all of the Olympics were in women’s beach volleyball.”
Another added, “Congratulations to the female athletes who fought so hard to be able to wear pants while they play beach volleyball.”
The shift in uniform design seems to be driven by practical considerations.
The weather in Paris has been quite chilly, with temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit (15-18°C) and persistent rain, making the previous bikini bottoms impractical.
Observers noted that even those courtside were dressed warmly, and athletes like those from Australia were seen in jackets during their matches.
There’s also speculation that cultural factors might play a role, especially with teams like those from China possibly influencing the choice of attire due to cultural modesty.
Reactions from Athletes and Fans
The new leggings have been praised by some for their practicality.
Female volleyball players have previously highlighted how the tiny bikini bottoms could be a distraction, as they risked coming off during dives into the sand. As one Reddit user pointed out, “I’m shocked that leggings aren’t the standard.”
Meanwhile, other explanations suggest the change might be linked to athletes’ desire to avoid objectification.
A comment reflecting this sentiment noted, “It’s because they were tired of showing their vaginas on television.”
Diverse Responses
Interestingly, some teams are sticking to the traditional bikinis, creating a mix of uniforms that has left some viewers confused. One person summed up the situation, saying, “I’m confused at the women’s beach volleyball uniform. S
ome wear leggings. Some wear the micro bikini.”
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