Why DO female volleyball players wear skimpy bikinis? History behind the controversial uniform revealed as fans reignite 'sexism' row over double standards with the men's kits

Beach Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in the Olympic Games each year - and often the most talked about.

The stark differences between uniforms for men and women are often pointed out, with the latter wearing figure hugging high-rise bikinis, whereas their male counterparts don loose loose tank tops and shorts. 

Beach volleyball made its official Olympic debut at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games after first appearing as a demonstration sport at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Previously, female beach volleyball players were forced to wear bikini bottoms with the International Olympic Committee even mandating how skimpy they were, with official rules stating they could not be more than 7cm on the sides. 

It wasn't until the 2012 Olympics in London, that the International Volleyball Federation updated the uniform to be inclusive of people's religious or cultural beliefs.

Beach Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in the Olympic Games each year and often the most talked about. Above: Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes of Team Canada pictured last week

That year, the International League for Women's Rights held a protest in the capital city against gender discrimination in the sport. 

At the time, Annie Sugier, spokeswoman for the International League for Women's Rights, told Forbes: 'They are using women's bodies as sex.

'It is all about money. It makes women look like objects and it is a clear case of sexism.'

At the time, female athletes said that while people may tune in to view them in tight swimwear, they will stay for the sport.

U.S. beach volleyball player April Ross told the outlet: 'Once they see the athleticism of our sport they're hooked on it.' 

Aussie Natalie Cook said she was 'OK with it' as it is the 'only sport where women dominate,' whereas Misty May-Treanor added that 'what you see is what you get'.

Some women actually prefer wearing bikinis as they say two-pieces prevent sand from getting trapped in their uniform, as they dive into the ground to save the ball.

Retired player Jennifer Kessy told Today that that sand was 'restricting' and 'limiting' her movements. 

Male athletes don loose loose tank tops and shorts - a stark difference to their female counterparts. Above: Andrew Benesh of Team United States celebrates with teammate Miles Partain last week

Marta Menegatti and Valentina Gottardi of Team Italy celebrate winning a point by hugging 

David Ahman of Sweden in action against Paolo Nicolai of Italy are pictured during a men's match last week

She said: 'Imagine diving chest first and lodging more sand than you care to think down the front of your suit. 

'You can’t keep it in there and it is not easy to get out. I found myself adjusting my one-piece all the time and while it was embarrassing, sure, it also took my focus off the match I was playing.'

Female volleyball players are now allowed to play their sport in leggings, with Marie-Sara Stochlova from the Czech Republic recently taking advantage of the changes.

French players Alexia Richard and Lezana Placette donned shorts and t-shirts under their bikini tops last week against their match with Akiko Hasegawa and Miki Ishii of Japan.

Egyptian athletes Marwa Abdelhady and Doaa Elghobashy arrived fully clothed in an all-back outfit and hijab for their match against Spain last week.

They later also slammed the hijab ban that France has imposed on its own athletes.

But plenty of viewers were labelled 'sexist' and 'creeps' for complaining about the absence of bikini bottoms.

'So I've had to watch blokes dressed as women at the opening ceremony and now women wearing leggings in the beach volleyball. Worst Olympics ever,' one posted.

French players Alexia Richard and Lezana Placette donned shorts and t-shirts under their bikini tops last week

Egyptian athletes Marwa Abdelhady and Doaa Elghobashy arrived fully clothed in an all-back outfit and hijab last week

Marie-Sara Stochlova from the Czech Republic took advantage of the uniform changes and donned leggings last week

Paula Soria Gutierrez and Liliana Fernandez Steiner of Spain celebrate during the match last week

'Add it to the list of reasons as to why I'm not watching the Olympics,' fumed another.

'Leggings in beach volleyball is a god d*** crime,' raged yet another.

In 2021, the Norwegian women’s beach handball team was fined for refusing to play the sport wearing bikini bottoms in the European 2021 tournament, indicating that there are still disparities in beach sports between men and women. 

Each player was fined around £126, adding up to a total of around £1,267. 

The European Handball Federation issued a statement that said: 'The Disciplinary Commission at the Beach Handball EURO 2021 has dealt with a case of improper clothing. 

'In the bronze medal game against Spain on Sunday the team of Norway played with shorts that are not according to the Athlete Uniform Regulations defined in the IHF Beach Handball Rules of the Game.

'The Disciplinary Commission decided to impose a fine of €150 per player, for a total of €1,500.'