Sports

Dumb Officials Finally Figure Out Female Olympians Don’t Want To Compete In Skirts

Well, look at that: The Badminton World Federation has axed a rule that would have required women Olympic competitors to wear skirts during the games.

Did I mention that this rule lasted just one year?

The (apparently wildly unpopular!) requirement mandated that all female badminton competitors wear skirts over their shorts while competing. It went info effect last year amid cries of sexism. But pish-posh to that, said BWF Deputy Paisan Rangsikitpho! “We just want them [women] to look feminine and have a nice presentation so women will be more popular,” he told the New York Times. Good grief, guys, they just wanted women to look more “feminine” so that you people would like them more! Not sexist at all! Where on earth would you get that idea?!

For some totally super weird reason, the new rule rubbed people the wrong way, and this Mensa-level media strategy backfired. After what was described as a “hostile response,” to the clothing requirement, BWF’s media coordinator Jan Lin said her group was rethinking the rule.

“To get more badminton on TV there are as much expectations on the presentation and charisma of the sport,” Lin said by way of explanation. Regardless, the shorts-wearing hideousness will now proceed unabated.

Shockingly, badminton isn’t the only Olympic sport this year that’s fretted over how to dress its female competitors. The Amateur International Boxing Association had considered requiring skirts for female boxers so that, as Bleacher Report put it, “they could be more easily distinguished from the men.” Very important stuff, making sure everyone knows that the women are women. Crucial information. No doubt the “women’s boxing” moniker and numerous indications that the events were women’s events wouldn’t have done the trick. Ya need them skirts.

This measure also failed. Imagine that.

Great news, but why does this keep happening? This plainly smacks of sexism — and a burning need to “prove” that women are women “even though” they’re athletes. Are sports really still intrinsically considered “guy things” that you need a “gal thing” to balance it out and make people feel more comfortable?

[Today In London]

TAGS: sports uniforms skirts women | women in olympics skirts

• 7 Ridiculous Kitchen Gadgets That You Don't Need
• The Money Score Card: How Do You Rate?
• 8 Things Your Boss Doesn't Need To Know
• Women VS. Men How Do We Compare on Fiscal Equality?