Chapter 1: The Ongoing Uniform Controversy

The topic of female athletes' uniforms remains a pressing issue, even decades after significant milestones like the first women's marathon in the modern Olympics in 1984. Unfortunately, discussions about sexism in sports are still relevant today. This time, however, the conversation has shifted from concerns about physical capability to the revealing nature of athletic wear—specifically, the excessively high cut of U.S. women's track and field shorts.

While one might assume these designs are intended to prevent overheating, the uncomfortable reality is that many female athletes have experienced wardrobe malfunctions, leading to unwanted exposure. This issue has been under scrutiny for over a century, with recent years seeing a gradual shift in focus from individual athletes to the governing bodies enforcing these outdated dress codes.

In a stark illustration of this ongoing struggle, the Norwegian women's beach handball team was fined €1,500 (around $1,600) for opting to wear shorts instead of the mandated bikini bottoms during the 2021 European Championships. A rule requiring women's bottoms to be no wider than 10 cm (~4 inches)—while men’s shorts must be at least 10 cm above the knee—seems absurd, especially given that the rationale provided by associations often lacks depth.

The fine imposed on the Norwegian team highlights how archaic these regulations are. In contrast, German gymnasts protested the sexualization of female athletes by donning full-body leotards at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, showcasing a growing awareness of the challenges women face in competitive sports.

Sexism has long been a part of women’s participation in public sports, and while the focus has shifted towards athletic performance, the lingering stigma around revealing attire complicates progress. Historically, outfits deemed too revealing were seen as inappropriate, while today, it is often the amount of skin covered that draws scrutiny.

The situation escalated when two German beach volleyball players boycotted the World Championships in Qatar over a ban on bikinis, feeling that their performance was compromised by restrictions on their clothing choices. This raises an important question: why are female athletes still subjected to such regulations?

The answer may lie in the need for women to present themselves in a manner deemed "feminine" during competitions. Research by UK field hockey player Tess Howard, which surveyed 400 women and interviewed several girl athletes, points to a fear of being perceived as 'masculine' affecting uniform choices. This societal pressure can create harmful identity tensions among young female athletes, leading to higher dropout rates and less engagement in physical activities overall.