The uniform for women’s beach volleyball has been an Olympic controversy for decades. Since the sport was introduced to the games in 1996, players have been obliged to don skimpy bikinis for every game, prompting accusations of sexism and unacceptable objectification of women.
Though bikinis are the most practical choice for many female volleyball players, the reception to them hasn't always matched with their expectations. During London 2012, the city’s Mayor Boris Johnson spoke of “semi-naked women glistening like wet otters” as one of the premier attractions of the games; bikini-focused press conferences and lingering shots of players’ bottoms have led many athletes to bemoan the overt sexualisation of the sport.
This year, however, Egyptian athletes Nada Meawad and Doaa Elghobashy are bucking the trend – by playing in hijab and long sleeves.
Nada Meawad and Doaa Elghobashy making history for Egypt as the first women's Olympic beach volleyball pair pic.twitter.com/nisxdBTTZN
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) 7 August 2016
The pair – aged just 18 and 19 – are permitted to compete in long sleeves and pants after the uniform rules for women’s beach volleyball were changed in 2012. Before then, only swimsuits or bikinis were allowed to be worn, but the chilly temperatures of Britain’s famously rainy summertime meant that wasn’t appropriate.
The changing of the regulations also kept in mind the cultural expectations of the many nations that play beach volleyball – and meant that Nada and Doaa could cover up for their game yesterday.
My favourite pic out or #Rio2016 #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/0veJhVcTA7
— Majd Yousef (@Mayousef) 8 August 2016
During the girls’ game with Germany, many were quick to point out the stark contrast between the uniforms of the two countries – sometimes as a representation of the global spirit of Olympics.
Egypt’s first ever Olympic Women’s beach volleyball team! #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/aG68K566bN
— Leslie O'Connor (@leslieobeslie) 7 August 2016
Germany won yesterday’s game 21-12 and 21-15 – but the score certainly doesn’t detract from the team’s achievement of representing Egypt in their sport for the first time.
