Olympics: beach volleyball

[Viola]

OK, why are the women half naked, but the men are wearing shapeless clothing--loose athletic shirts and shorts like you would wear for soccer or something, but the women have part of their butt hanging out of their bikini bottoms? Two piece is fine, but maybe some spandex shorts instead of bikini bottoms. I just hate seeing women half naked while doing stuff--it makes them look powerless and vulnerable. Is it just me? Now if the men were in tight Speedos, maybe I wouldn't care, but they aren't!

[RowansDad]

Well, I've got a question as to why this is even an Olympic sport, but I guess that is besides the point!

Sex sells is the only reason. I've come across seen the pro circuit on ESPN and the same outfits are won there too. Can't imagine how that style of dress can help one's game. Shame of the women who are allowing theselves to be used that way.

[NB Mom]

Well, my DH watched the women's beach volleyball game, but when the men's came on, he said what's the point?? and changed the chanell!
I don't understand why these women would want to dress this way, esp. at the Olympics! I wonder if there would be the same kind of "scandle" if one of their boobs pops out like there was for Janet Jackson??!

[MamaDub]

The style of dress for beach volleyball mirrors the style of dress for the beach. I play beach volleyball and I wear a bikini. So do many of my friends and fellow players of all shapes and sizes. Some like to wear tiny suits like many of the olympic players wear, some like to be more covered up. It is a matter of preference. As far as the olympics go, it looks like Nike got the uniform contract and everyone has to wear the suits provided by them, regardless of whether they fit or not. In real life and on the pro-beach circuit, most women find suits that fit them better.
For me, a bikini is more comfortable and cooler (temperature wise) than wearing say a t-shirt and shorts, but it depends on the weather. Sand gets everywhere when you play, it is easier to just brush the sand off your skin than out from under a shirt or even a one-piece.
The women who play are strong, athletic and powerful, just like gymnasts, swimmers and divers who also wear small tight suits.
In non-olympic tournaments, the men almost always are shirtless. That tank-top thing is just for the olympics and the international game.
As to why beach volleyball is an olympic sport? Well, I think it is for the same reason that most sports are in the olympics. Many countries have citizens who play at very high levels and like to compete.
I am not trying to defend "sex sells", just defending my and many other's favorite pastime... beach volleyball!

[Viola]

Originally Posted by MamaDub

The style of dress for beach volleyball mirrors the style of dress for the beach.

The men should be shirtless, like the swimmers. That's all I'm saying. Come to think of it, I want to see the legs on the male gymnasts.

My husband loves the picture of the one woman on the beach volleyball team with her hand on the butt of the other team member. He thinks it is a great sports photo.

[Kinipela79]

The men should be shirtless, like the swimmers.

Kind of off topic - but have you seen the funny suits a lot of them are wearing for swimming? It looks like it would be painful to put on and take off!! I guess it makes them more aerodynamic...or marinedynamic...lol whatever...you know what I mean!

[Midnightowl]

ABC's Evening News had a segment tonight about Olympic athletes as sex symbols. They interviewed a beach volleyball team that said this year the suits are allowed to be smaller and they hoped that their sexiness would draw people to watch the sport.

[stillnominivan]

I've got no beef with with the bikinis..I just don't get why the bottoms are so small? They don't look comfortable and they keep having to "dig" them out of their bums!

[daylily]

Since someone already mentioned the men's swimwear--I can't get over how low the waistbands are on the men's swimpants. Another inch lower and they'll need to put a black bar across the screen when we see full lenth shots of the men. Not that I'm complaining.

I also wondered why the beach volleyball players are half naked. But in regular non-beach volleyball, the women have worn really short tight bottoms for years--kind of like a modest bikini bottom, although I haven't seen any regular volleyball at these Olympics. I've always wondered why they wear those instead of shorts.

[merpk]

They were actually discussing this yesterday somewhere sometime on our local NPR station ... forget which show it was ... and they specifically said it was a requirement for the women's beach volleyball team to wear bikinis.



So explain to me if it's supposed to mimic the beach as a PP said, then how come the men aren't half-naked, too?

[Katana]

Originally posted by daylily
Since someone already mentioned the men's swimwear--I can't get over how low the waistbands are on the men's swimpants. Another inch lower and they'll need to put a black bar across the screen when we see full lenth shots of the men. Not that I'm complaining.

My brother, a former swimmer, explained this to me. LOL. He said that the whole point is to have as smooth a flow going as possible, when in the water. The bare hip bone, apparently doesn't cause resistance when in the water, but material of any kind above or at the hip bone does slow the swimmer down. So the shorts/pants have to be below the hipbone, to cut down on the resistence.

That's my public service announcement for the day.

[the sunshine]

I just read today that women have for years been petitioning to get a uniform that covers them a bit more, like a bike short or something. They keep getting turned down.

After all, who's really watching it for the athleticism? Even when women kick butt, all anyone cares about is T & A.

[Schrody]

I don't think it's fair to say no one watches women's beach volleyball for the athleticism. My DH is a huge volleyball fan and will happily watch men or women indoors or outdoors. Yes, he's a guy and does notice that many of these women are absolutely gorgeous, but he also likes to watch the game.

As for their uniforms, if I looked that good, I'd be wearing that bikini everywhere I go, including the grocery store and the bank.