The troubling paradox facing women Olympians: Sex sells, but with serious costs

For female Olympians, the debate over uniforms has taken center stage alongside their athletic performances. U.S. beach volleyball players April Ross and Alix Klineman wear bikinis because of heat and sand, though Ross acknowledged that the two-piece bathing suit also attracts fans. “I have always felt like when you get somebody drawn in, however you get them in to beach volleyball, they fall in love with the sport,” Ross said. “So, hopefully that happens also.

“But not all athletes share Ross’s sentiments. Recently the Norwegian women’s handball team wore shorts to protestEuropean Handball Federation rules mandating female athletes wear a bikini. And the German women’s gymnastics team similarly challenged the sexualization of female athletes by wearing pant-length unitards during the team qualifying round in Tokyo. Read More