The episode happened during the world tour tournament in China. Olimstad and Helland-Hansen were supposed to meet a German couple, but had their warm-up interrupted by a judge who asked them to change their clothes to bikinis. The Norwegian girls have made a clear and principled choice to play their matches in shorts rather than bikinis, and have done this for several years. The regulations on the world tour also allow shorts or tights to be used. In China on Friday, however, Olimstad and Helland-Hansen received a clear message that bikinis were required. – At first we almost laugh a little at it, because we are very aware of the regulations and have taken a clear stand on this. It was almost comical. We know very well that we can play in shorts, says Helland-Hansen to NTB. She gave the judge in question clear feedback that the Norwegian girls did not need to change their clothes. The referee then pointed out that the German duo played in bikinis, and that the Norwegians had to do the same. – Then I replied that “no, we must not.” You can go and check the rule book”. Then there was a bit of a discussion, before she (the judge) spoke to the other judges, and in the end we of course agreed. That’s how the rules are, says Helland-Hansen. Requires explanation The episode, which disrupted the Norwegian team’s warm-up for the match and naturally created frustration and irritation, does not go down well with the management of the Norwegian Volleyball Association. Marketing manager Iver Horrem warns that the situation will have repercussions. “The association will contact the international federation (FIVB) and ask for an explanation of the incident during the World Tour tournament in China where the referees asked our girls to change their shorts to bikinis”, he writes to NTB. Horrem is clear that the volleyball association cannot accept such an incident. “We will further request that the FIVB take measures to ensure that all organizers of international tournaments enforce an updated set of regulations, especially with regard to player attire for women,” writes the marketing manager. The main characters Olimstad and Helland-Hansen are, to put it mildly, upset about the situation they ended up in. – It is quite provocative to still have to stand and defend these things. That the referees themselves do not have control over the rules of the sport they themselves judge, says Helland-Hansen to NTB. – Would have been unprofessional The Norwegian duo already started playing in shorts rather than bikinis in 2021. They know their own rights in the matter well. – It was good that it didn’t happen to one of the younger teams who are not so experienced and are just as supportive in this matter. Maybe they should have changed into bikinis. It would be very unprofessional of the organiser, says Helland-Hansen. In tournaments that are not part of the world tour, the rules are not necessarily the same. In theory, a bikini ban can be enforced there. In such cases, Olimstad and Helland-Hansen have a sponsor behind them who covers any fine that comes as a result of them choosing to play in shorts against the wishes of the organiser. – It is a shame that you have to have such a backing to be able to play in what you are comfortable in. I hope the other teams are aware of their rights to choose what they want to play in, says Helland-Hansen. When asked how many teams on the world tour now take advantage of the opportunity to play in shorts, the Norwegian Olympic hopeful replies: – There are perhaps 10 percent who play in shorts from time to time, but all the teams who occasionally play in shorts, usually plays in a bikini. Willing to reduce body pressure The Norwegian duo, for their part, are keenly concerned with the issue surrounding clothing. – We actually have a project where we interview the other teams on the tour about this, because this is a sensitive topic. It is interesting to hear what the other athletes feel. Some say they would rather play in a bikini, and then it’s a fair choice, says Helland-Hansen. The Norwegian duo themselves get a pat on the back for their own clear and principled line. – Everyone is very positive that we play in shorts. We want more people to follow suit in order to reduce the physical pressure on the younger players. That is our main motivation, says Helland-Hansen. Marketing manager Horrem applauds the duo. – They have started a kind of movement and shown that there is an alternative to playing in a bikini. They are tough, and I am impressed by that, he tells NTB. From a sporting point of view, the tournament in China has started well for the Norwegian Olympic hopefuls. After a solid qualification, they have played their way through to the knock-out rounds which start on Saturday. The match against the German pair, where the charging was disrupted, also ended with a very strong victory. Hendrik Mol and Mathias Berntsen participated in the men’s class in China, but were eliminated in the group stage. (NTB)
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Norwegian Olympic hopes met with bikini demands by the organizer – the association demands an explanation – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
