Comment: Itsy-bitsy bikini code too bizarre to be correct

By Erin Baker

How bizarre that in these days of political correctness the world volleyball authorities should bring in a new, politically incorrect dress code.

In my years as a professional triathlete, we had a similar dress code, although it was not mandatory.

Triathlon shares a similar media profile to beach volleyball, both being new or relatively new Olympic sports.

Each sport is typically held in hot, tropical climates, and each sport possesses some great bodies (although triathletes definitely have the upper hand in this department!).

The reason for implementing rules whereby both men and women must wear skimpy clothing while competing is solely to sell the sport to the worldwide media.

It is now compulsory that women wear bikinis, and the bikini must be on the "skimpy" side, not the larger variety that some of us in our later "teens" may wish to wear.

Seriously, though, I cannot imagine being told that I must wear a bikini or I may not compete internationally.

Many women triathletes and volleyball players do wear bikinis by choice, but many do not.

I was the best in the world, but even when racing fit at 53kg I never felt comfortable in a bikini, so I wore a one-piece suit. My swimsuits were functional, supportive and attractive and I always believed that it was my athleticism that was on display, not my body.

The mere implication that the women's bodies are on show takes away what little respect they are trying to command as athletes. Surely they are on the beach to compete, and while many may like and enjoy the attention they receive in bikinis, I can assure you many will not.

Another factor that should be addressed is that of the varying body types of female athletes.

While the media and sponsors are drawn to the slim, blonde, good-looking female, most of us may not possess all those qualities. I wonder how fuller-figured volleyball players will feel now they are forced into skimpy bikinis?

What is a size 14C woman now supposed to do as she jumps high, fully stretched for a ball, and her boob pops out? I guess it's one way for getting the less-than-model athlete on the front pages, but for the serious athletes, as many of them are, it will be very embarrassing.

We have long known that female sports do not attract media attention. We are forced to accept that "cover girls" may have little or no athletic ability, or may receive athletic sponsorships well in excess of what they deserve simply because they "look good."

But with this new compulsory dress code, the sport has taken a backward step and indicated there is nothing it won't do for the almighty television contract.

One can only wonder when the volleyball authorities will start putting size restrictions on their international players because they don't look good in a bikini.

It is sad that the way the media treat minor and female sports forces associations to end up imposing "sexier" dress codes. How demeaning to find that your athletic prowess becomes less important than the way you look.

I guess all we can now do is endure eternal summers with boozy blokes sitting around wolf whistling again at women on the beach.

So much for political correctness.