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Female Beach Volleyball Uniforms. Sport Management September 26 th , 2008. Issue. The Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) regulates the uniforms of Beach Volleyball Players as follows:
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Female Beach Volleyball Uniforms Sport Management September 26th, 2008
Issue • The Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) regulates the uniforms of Beach Volleyball Players as follows: • The top must fit closely to the body, with deep cutaway armholes on the back, upper chest and stomach (2 piece). • Bottom should be a close fit and be cut on an upward angle towards the top of the leg, with a maximum side width of 7cm.
Side Issue • Shots of Female Beach Volleyball players used in the recent Beijing Summer Olympics were often of their backsides, giving serving targets.
The Public View • Uniforms are too skimpy and pictures inappropriate, causing the sport to be sexualized and female athletes being degraded. • Unfair that athletes are regulated to wear a specific swimsuit. • Gap between male and female athletes being widened. • Promoters trying too hard to sell the sport through other means besides athletic talent.
Athletes View • Uniforms allow for greater range of movement • Avoid the trapping of sand against the body • Male uniforms are also regulated • One piece uniforms ARE available • Exceptions have been made for religious reasons.
Female Organizations • National Organization for Women: • Cannot comment on the competitive aspects of the suits, but feels that if athletes are uncomfortable they should speak for themselves. • Women’s Sport Federation • If the females do not feel degraded or uncomfortable, there should be no issue.
My Opinion • If the athletes are not uncomfortable then there shouldn’t be a discussion. • Wearing a bathing suit is part of the sport. • The “Sex Sells” promotion may have been taken too far, but from a management perspective it brought in viewers. • The women are healthy, successful, hard working athletes who are great role models.
Discussion Questions • Do you feel the beach volleyball uniforms should be regulated? • Do you feel that the current uniforms are inappropriate? • Did promoters and television channels go too far by using pictures of the serving signals from behind players?