Beach volley ball required women wear bikinis until this year?

[Hamlette]

WTF. Besides "more people will watch" is there another reason for the prior dress code?

And why are water polo caps so ugly? Really, no one can design something that doesn't look like a baby bonnet?

[crimson77]

1. I think it was too cold for Bikini's, I was bummed when Brazil wore wetsuits.

[HappyMe]

2. The water polo caps are just

bathing caps with ear protection. They probably have to tie the thing because things get a little rough.

[xmas74]

3. It was mostly the dress code of the competitive field.

Before it became an event women in beach volleyball already wore bikinis or some variation. It's been changed so that all women can feel free to participate, including those whose religions expect them to dress "modest".

Misty May-Treanor made the comment about how it's just more comfortable for her to wear a bikini, since she grew up wearing them to compete and wears them in professional competition. She says the range of movement is better and less constricting, compared to wet suits and board shorts. I'd believe that-look at how many women track runners have gone to a more abbreviated bottom over the years.



The track bottom is abbreviated, like a bikini bottom, and the top is a tank. It's about the range of motion.

[Quantess]

4. They aren't there for the fashion show.

Minimal clothing for streamlined, unrestricted movements.