Action Replay – Get your kit on
Last year an American athlete suffered an unfortunate mishap in a 400 metre race, when his penis appeared from his shorts. He struggled to push it back in, and did indeed win the race. This illustrates the point that sportspeople often need to wear rather brief outfits that do not impede their movements. And, of course, it is mainly women who have to put up with media attention to such matters.
For instance, in the recent Commonwealth Games, there was much hoo-ha about the dresses worn by the Australian netball team. The dresses tended to ride up at the slightest movement and the players had to keep tugging them down. The players, however, seemed more blasé about this than some of the supporters. It has been suggested, though, that girls might be put off playing the sport if it means wearing inappropriate outfits.
A few years ago Norway’s female beach handball team were fined because their players at the European championships had worn shorts instead of bikini bottoms, as specified in the rules. But then the rule book was changed to allow shorts, with no mention of bikini bottoms. Men players, incidentally, had to wear shorts that were at least ten centimetres above the knee.
In Action Replay for June 2011, we commented on similar issues, including the requirement that women beach volleyball players must wear bikini bottoms with a maximum size width of seven centimetres.
These issues have certainly not gone away since then. The European Broadcasting Union recently issued guidance about sexualising images of female athletes. This included avoiding low camera angles that can result in compromising scenes, for instance of long jumpers or pole vaulters, and also slow-motion replays that serve little technical purpose. According to one long jumper, some camera angles may have ‘serious long-term effects on [an] athlete’s mental health’, with abuse on social media taking place.
The incident mentioned in our first paragraph was shown in high-definition replays, but clearly it is women who are subjected to the most unfortunate experiences in connection with sports outfits. A reflection of the sexualisation of women in society, sadly.
PB