Commentary: Why covering up skimpy sports uniforms is a big deal for female athletes

ALBURY-WODONGA, Australia: Recent changes in New Zealand sporting dress codes have led to a collective sigh of relief in women’s gymnastics. No longer will competitive gymnasts be penalised for accidentally revealing their underwear while performing.

Indeed, Gymnastics New Zealand has finally modernised its uniform rules, allowing girls and women to wear shorts or leggings over their leotards – just like their male counterparts.

This decision was made following a survey of more than 200 female competitive gymnasts, with Gymnastics New Zealand concluding every gymnast should feel “comfortable and safe” when performing. Prior to this, female gymnasts could have points deducted from their final score for unintentional dress code violations while in action.

This timely rule change builds on the past few years of global advocacy in which some sportswomen have voiced concerns about how their outfits impede their movements and their confidence. It’s hardly surprising to hear this, since women’s sport uniforms have traditionally been tailored for men, making some athletes uncomfortable.

Dress code pushbacks from female athletes led to worldwide outrage in July 2021, when Norway’s beach handball team was fined €1,500 (US$1,629) for wearing shorts instead of regulation bikini bottoms at a European Championship match.

The European Handball Federation officials claimed the shorts were “improper clothing” that defied the International Handball Federation uniform rules.

A few months later in October, the International Handball Federation quietly modified its beach handball regulations, advising “female athletes must wear short tight pants with a close fit”. Meanwhile, men’s shorts must be “not too baggy” and they can be longer than the