Handball Team Handed Fines : Standing Up to Sexism in Sport

When it comes to women’s handball, Norway are one of the best national teams of all time. In 2011 they had the unique distinction of being European Champions, Olympic Champions, AND World Champions simultaneously. They’ve qualified for a record 23 finals.

The current team are reigning Euro and World Champions. Now they are in the news for standing up to sexism in their sport. In July 2021, the team was fined €150 per player for what adjudicators decreed a case of ‘improper clothing’.

Prior to the European Beach Handball Championships in Bulgaria, the team petitioned to wear shorts instead of the regulation bikini bottoms. The request was refused. Under threat of disqualification, they made a stand and wore shorts regardless.

The International Handball Federations rules stated ‘female athletes must wear bikini bottoms with a close fit and cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg. The side width must be of a maximum of 4 inches".

In comparison, the men’s uniform consisted of shorts that are longer "but must remain 4 inches above the kneecap" and cannot be "too baggy". The Norwegian teams protest emphasised that dress code double standards are no longer tolerable.

For reference, 4 inches is around 10 cm, about the same size as a credit card, 4 paper clips, or the height (not length) of an envelope. Players reported feeling naked, watched, and hindered by the skimpy bikini which disregards body autonomy, agency, and religious beliefs.

It’s not hard to understand why the women’s team protested these archaic, sexist rules. Uniforms are utilitarian, they should be comfortable and cover a person’s modesty appropriately. All dress codes should be updated to reflect a fairer, more inclusive society.

Girls are already disproportionately represented in sport. Most girls drop out of team sports at puberty due in part to issues with body image. Ridiculous clothing requirements like these do nothing to help girls stay in sport.

Norway had been protesting the sexist rules since 2006. Popular popstar Pink offered support and the fine prompted tennis star Billy Jean King to tweet “The sexualisation of women athlete’s must stop!”  

In Oct 2021, the IHF finally caved to pressure and amended the rules.

The wording now reads "short tight pants with close fit", a far cry from the insubstantial bikini bottom.

It takes courage to stand up to sexism and gender inequality in male dominated sports.

The Norwegian Women's Handball team have proven they have what it takes to win.