Every four years the world seems to get a surprise during the summer Olympics. There are often new regulations or alterations to the rules each new the Olympic season. Some of these rules tend to be a bit ridiculous, odd, or sometimes even controversial to many Olympic spectators.
According to the London 2012 Olympics website, athletes in the 20km Race walking events must always be in contact with the ground, in contrast to runners who momentarily have both feet off the ground. The website stated that Race walk, “…athletes must be incredibly disciplined to fight the urge to break into a run for extra speed” (london2012.com).
Several uniform changes are going into effect at the 2012 Summer Olympics, particularly in women’s boxing and beach volleyball.This year, female boxers now have the option to wear skirts in competition. According to ESPN, the skirts were suggested by the Amateur International Boxing Association. However, they will not be compulsory, which comes as a relief to many women (espn.go.com).
“‘I have heard people say, ‘We can’t tell the difference between the men and the women,’ especially on TV, since they are in the same uniforms and wearing headgear,’” said AIBI President Ching-Kuo Wu, according to ESPN. While some women like the ease of movement and will voluntarily wear the skirts, others feel that they are unnecessary, and will stick with shorts.
Women’s beach volleyball is also undergoing dress code changes, as players will no longer be required to wear bikinis, and have the option to wear shorts and short-sleeved or sleeveless shirts instead. According to the Huffington Post, the new rule was intended to level the field for participants from countries with more modest clothing expectations (huffingtonpost.com).“I like that the athletes have the choice. Some people have religious obligations and don’t want to show that much skin,” said P.E. Coach Terry Homiston.
As with boxing, many athletes will not choose the new option. Athletes Kerri Walsh, of the US, and British Star Denise Johns, among others, are both opposed, citing reasons ranging from functionality to getting more attention for the sport. Critics argue that the revealing uniforms contribute to over-sexualizing the sports, and detract from the athletics, according to the Huffington Post.
Another issue related to dress code in women’s sports at the 2012 Olympics was the disqualification of the Iranian soccer team from a pre-Olympic trial match, according to National Public Radio. FIFA, the international policy-makers for soccer, said that their hijab (the head-covering worn by many Muslim women) did not meet uniform regulations (npr.org).
According to CBS News, the team was warned beforehand that their headscarves were not in compliance with FIFA rules. The opposing team from Jordan also had several women who wore hijab for modesty and cultural reasons, but opted not to have them compete (cbsnews.com).
Whether you are a fan of track or boxing or volleyball, there will be something for just about everyone to watch this summer. And watch for those new uniforms and regulations!