BASEL, Switzerland (AP) 鈥� Bikini-style uniforms will for female beach handball players following protests by players and European lawmakers.
The new wording by the sport's governing body follows a campaign started by the Norwegian national team in July and now allows women to wear 鈥渟hort tight pants鈥� instead of bikinis.
The Norwegian federation was fined because players wore 鈥渋mproper clothing鈥� at the European Championship in July. They had worn shorts to protest the bikini rule.
Team handball's rules ahead of the Tokyo Olympics seemed out of line with to curb overly sexualized images of female athletes.
There is still a gender divide in the updated International Handball Federation equipment rules.
Female players are told to wear pants 鈥渨ith a close fit鈥� while men鈥檚 shorts can be 鈥渘ot too baggy.鈥�
The Switzerland-based IHF updated the rules in a document on its website dated Oct. 3. Days earlier, the sports ministers from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland and other international sports to let athletes 鈥渂e dressed in a way that suits performance and comfort.鈥�
Pop singer Pink had supported the Norwegians and offered to pay the 1,500 euro ($1,700) fine, saying she was 鈥渧ery proud鈥� of the team for challenging the rule.
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The Associated Press
