Tokyo Olympics: Female athletes being told what they can and can't wear

Ground Report | New Delhi: Tokyo Olympics: Female athletes; The 21st century is in full swing, but there are still stereotypes around the world about the dress code for female athletes and, unfortunately, telling female athletes what they can and cannot wear. There is nothing new in it.

Women are sexually abused everywhere. From sports to entertainment, women are expected to dress and behave in a certain way that is downright sexist. Germany's women's gymnast team made a statement when they stepped into qualifying at the Tokyo Olympics in full-length bodysuits.

Despite not having any competition yet, training has already seen a change that draws attention in the world of gymnastics. It is the making of a suit that covers the entire body. It will be covered up to the ankles instead of up to the jersey, as is characteristic of clothing for these sports.

“That doesn't mean we don't want to keep wearing the normal jersey. It is a decision that is made every day, depending on how we feel and what we want, ”said Elizabeth Seitz, one of the Olympians who implemented this outfit. However, he highlighted the change for the better: "It is about what is comfortable."

Given this determination of the German team, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), had no problem accepting the clothing. It is a great step in general for the Olympic discipline. In this regard, Seitz added that "we wanted to show that each woman, each one, must decide what clothes to wear," alluding to the struggle she is leading in her country over some ideological issues.

Tokyo Olympics: Female athletes

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

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

Vi er kjempestolte over disse jentene som under EM hevet stemmen og ga beskjed om at NOK ER NOK! Vi i NHF står bak dere og støtter dere. Sammen skal vi fortsette å kjempe for å endre regelverket for bekledning, slik at spillerne får spille i det tøyet de er komfortable med! pic.twitter.com/MmfiMtVz2Q

— Norges Håndballforbund (@NORhandball) July 20, 2021

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, each player will be fined 17 177. The European Handball Federation (EHF) imposed a fine on "inappropriate clothing" and said the Norwegian team competing in shorts did not comply with the rules. (Tokyo Olympics: Female athletes)

Retaliatory criticism

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

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"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 in beach competitions, saying they consider themselves inferior and degrading in bikinis.

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

Wearing hijab and playing

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 cut' 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 points to a bigger 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."

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