Female beach volleyball players do not have to wear a bikini at the 2012 Olympics in London. The new rule announced Tuesday, said that participants in the contest this summer, beach volleyball can wear shorts and sleeved tops.
Athletes in the case were exclusively worn a bikini since the sport was introduced at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Competitors can wear leotards in cold weather.
This change was made taking into account the cultural specificities of different countries participating.
"Shorts with a maximum length [1:18 in.] above the knee, and sleeves or sleeveless tops," will now be allowed under the new guidelines by the IOC.
After the Olympic Games in Beijing, most of the competition in beach volleyball rules changed to allow a more modest form. This is an attempt to expand the diversity in the sport, which is usually dominated by athletes from Europe, Brazil and the United States. Resolution shorts and shirts may facilitate the participation of countries with more modest cultural beliefs.
Athletes in the case were exclusively worn a bikini since the sport was introduced at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Competitors can wear leotards in cold weather.
This change was made taking into account the cultural specificities of different countries participating.
"Shorts with a maximum length [1:18 in.] above the knee, and sleeves or sleeveless tops," will now be allowed under the new guidelines by the IOC.
After the Olympic Games in Beijing, most of the competition in beach volleyball rules changed to allow a more modest form. This is an attempt to expand the diversity in the sport, which is usually dominated by athletes from Europe, Brazil and the United States. Resolution shorts and shirts may facilitate the participation of countries with more modest cultural beliefs.
