The Switzerland-based International Volleyball Federation requires men to wear shirts on its professional tour and the Olympics.
Why? If sex sells — and isn’t that part of the lure of beach volleyball — doesn’t it sell both ways?
Federation spokesman Fabrizio Rossini wrote in an e-mail to The Sun that the shirts are required because they can “characterize in the best way the competition among countries, displaying clearly the country code.”
Rossini added, “... the sponsors and especially the technical sponsors ... can show in the best way their brand, which is important to maintain a high level prize money.”
Asked why the same logic doesn’t apply to the women whose bikinis have only a few square inches of fabric for logo display, Rossini replied, “The FIVB has always admitted that Beach Volleyball is a very tough but also a sexy sport. The uniforms are part of the game and give the perfect look and feel to our sport.”
The men’s coverup/women’s exposure has not gone unnoticed by volleyball players around Gainesville.
“The girls are forced to wear the bikinis and the guys are forced to cover up. It’s kind of funny,” said Kevin Steinkirchner, vice president of the University of Florida men’s volleyball club.
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- quantisation
- added this
- added August 21, 2008
- flag
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Wow. I think that it is strange and unfair for the men, because they have to sweat all over and be hot in shirts, while girls dont cover up.
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- wolfamorph
- 5 months ago
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Beach volleyball makes me smile.
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Thats just typical, sexist shit.
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- Eri_Soulja
- 5 months ago
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What i said?
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- wolfamorph
- 5 months ago
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really? this really shouldn't be an issue. they are wearing bating suits, not g-strings and bottle caps.
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Olympic games should be nude.
Let them kick it old school.
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- Owwmykneecap
- 5 months ago
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Men aren't sex objects.
Only women are sex objects.
That's why the women wear bikinis and the men don't wear speedos.
It's Marketing 101, folks.
- b_p
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- b00g13_p0p
- 5 months ago
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Haha, that's hilarious. I bet Rossini is just too afraid to come out of the closet.
"Sexy men, NO NO, *ahem* EXPOSED men clearly send the wrong message. But exposed women are just fine to me! After all, they're sexxyyy and uh stuff."
People are so silly.
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Women's bodies are the highest form of art.
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Maybe they should make the men start wearing crop tops with their national flags on them...
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I have a feeling none of those women are being forced to wear those suits. They work hard, look great, period.
Now...we might want to see some male abs. Gosh...even the swimmers are fully clothed. We just can't catch a break.
It's BEACH vollyball.
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- cantucwearebrothers
- 5 months ago
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how about just too much beach volleyball. actually , any beach volleyball at the olympics is too much. one single game is too much as far as i'm concerned. it's fucking stupid. and it, along with atleast 10 others stupid pointless sports that nobody cares about, should be taken out of the games.
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- diabolical44
- 5 months ago
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I agree sublimeuniverse. Please send us some samples of your art
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- GavinTheMother
- 5 months ago
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People make such a big deal for no reason.
Michael Phelp swimsuit too short, women showing too much, or outfits being too tight. Get over it! For real - let's deal with some real problems like finding out if that Chinese gymist is 12,14, or 16.-
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- JesseSanchez
- 5 months ago
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Either you get to complain about modesty and everyone should cover back up, or you admit that nudity is really no big deal and people can play naked if they want. You can't have it both ways, or one way for one gender and the other way for the other.
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That's unfair. Guys should have to go shirtless. What about all the women who are watching!!
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"What's up with the farmer tan dude?"
"I'm a pro volleyball player."
"Oh."
What's about the men's legs? Since when is a man going shirtless a big deal (unless they are fat and furry)? I wouldn't even play beach volleyball unless I can take my shirt off. Actually, that's why I'm there: To get a tan. The volleyball just keeps me occupied.
I guess on a pro level, the whole "being viewed as a sex object while playing" does make it kind of weird though.
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- damnneargenius
- 5 months ago
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Not enough skin in my opinion.
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Ugh, imagine wearing a shirt for beach volleyball, and all that sand... just seems very uncomfortable to me. Too much goes into image for these things - the athletes should be allowed to compete in what they're most comfortable.
Didn't the Greeks compete nude?
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oh, yeah, whenever i see a game i feel happy. so whoever it's saying that stop it.
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the reason given is because of business interests which makes sense in a capitalist world. of course a capitalist world tends to be sexist, classist, racist, etc...
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Men still have to wear shirts on any golf course its the proper thing to do.
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Make the men wear a bro or a manzeer.
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They should do all the sports naked like they used to. THEN lets see how many people tune in. I know I wouldn't leave the house the whole time... except maybe for shotput...
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- CreditFigaro
- 5 months ago
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And another important issue makes it to Current TV.
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- JanforGore
- 5 months ago
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