"Uniformity" in Beach Volleyball at the Olympics

As the AVP pro beach volleyball tour takes a hiatus as eight of its players compete in Beijing, let's take a moment to look at the uniforms the players must wear when competing.

For the men, unlike in the AVP where the guys can go shirtless, they must wear jerseys in Olympic competition. Todd Rogers, one-half of the 2007 World Championship team and a Gold Medal contender, is all for playing bare-backed. In reply to a question a reported raised about having a petition signed to relax the tank top rule, Todd said, "I'm in. I'll sign. It's more comfortable anyway in this heat." he said. (Reuters 8/7/08)

Whereas for the women, they can either wear one-piece swimsuits or bikiins - with many fans preferring the latter. DUH! According to the Olympic regulations, bikini bottoms should be no more than 2.75 inches (7 cm.) across the hip - kinda skimpy compared to what the fencers and formal equestrians wear!

And you never know, to increase greater interest in the sport, the International Olympic Committte may allow the women to soon compete in thongs - as some players do in the anything goes beaches in Brazil. Time will tell....