Beach handball 'sexist' uniform rules changed following widespread outcry

Female beach handball players will no longer have to compete in bikini bottoms and crop tops after the sport's governing body changed the rules following widespread outrage.

The International Handball Federation has changed its women's uniform regulations to allow players to wear vests and cycling shorts instead.

It comes after the European Handball Federation (EHF) fined the Norwegian women's team for wearing shorts, like their male counterparts, instead of the usual bikini bottoms that were required to have “a close fit and cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg”.

The federation said the women had competed in “improper clothing” during the July European Beach Handball Championships in Varna, Bulgaria, and fined the team €1,500 (£1,298).

Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, handball's rules were deemed out of line with an International Olympic Committee directive to curb overly sexualised images of female athletes.

Following months of international pressure, the governing body quietly changed its uniform rules on October 3. From January 2022, female athletes will be required to wear "short tight pants with a close fit" and a "body fit tank top".

The new regulations still differ between male and female players, as women's shorts are required to be fitted, while men are allowed to wear regular shorts as long as 10cm that are "not too baggy".

Norwegian Handball Federation President, Kåre Geir Lio, described the rule change as "both a real and symbolic step" in tackling inequality in sport.

"I think it’s good for the game, but first of all, it’s good for the women, and it’s good for how we treat each other in sports," he told NBC News.

He said female players had told him they played better in tight shorts rather than bikini bottoms and were "very satisfied" with the altered uniform rules.

The move comes after the EHF's decision to fine the Norwegian women's team sparked international outcry, including a petition that garnered 61,000 signatures urging the EHF to "drop the fine and let them wear shorts".

Norway-based Talitha Stone, who created the petition with the backing of gender equality organisation Collective Shout, had written on the page: "Forcing women to wear bikini bottoms sends a bad message to all girls that sport isn’t about fitness and enjoyment, but about putting your body on display."

She added: "Why should female athletes be punished for wearing an outfit which is functional and practical allowing freedom of movement without being worried about possible exposure to a big audience as well as unwanted comments and sexual harassment?" 

Pop star Pink threw her support behind the athletes, branding the rules as "sexist" and offered to pay the fine for them.

She added that she was “very proud” of the team for challenging the rule and told them to "keep it up".