Pink Offers To Pay Fines Of Norwegian Women’s Beach Handball Team After They Were Fined For Wearing Shorts
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Pink is standing up for the Norwegian women’s beach handball team.
The team made headlines after they were fined $221 CAD each for wearing shorts and not bikini bottoms. The move spurred outrage, including that of Pink.
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This is what they have to wear. They say these bottoms make them feel unnecessarily sexualized + uncomfortable when they have their periods and the likes. They will however play in them as long as they are mandatory by the CEV. pic.twitter.com/OYmmS5PyGi
— Tradia (@amalieskram) July 15, 2021
The pop icon turned to Twitter to show her support and offer to pay the fine.
“I’m VERY proud of the Norwegian female beach handball team FOR PROTESTING THE VERY SEXIST RULES ABOUT THEIR ‘uniform’. The European handball federation SHOULD BE FINED FOR SEXISM. Good on ya, ladies. I’ll be happy to pay your fines for you. Keep it up,” the “So What” singer tweeted.
I’m VERY proud of the Norwegian female beach handball team FOR PROTESTING THE VERY SEXIST RULES ABOUT THEIR “uniform”. The European handball federation SHOULD BE FINED FOR SEXISM. Good on ya, ladies. I’ll be happy to pay your fines for you. Keep it up.
— P!nk (@Pink) July 25, 2021
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Norwegian player Katinka Haltvik told the national broadcaster NRK that their decision to wear the shorts was “very spontaneous” and added that while they “felt threatened by the regulations,” they wanted to pave the way for other teams who also feel uncomfortable with the mandated uniforms.
“People cheered on us for going in front of several teams and taking the brunt. Not all teams can afford to pay such fines,” she said.
French coach Valérie Nicolas also supported the move by the Norwegian team, telling newspaper Verdens Gang, “Money and fines should not be part of the discussion. To create change, nations must stand together, and we are doing it now.”
She added, “We have lost players due to the suits. The players tell me they are uncomfortable, feel naked, and watched. It is a sport with a lot of movement and you are hindered by the bikini. There is also discomfort associated with menstruation, and not least religion.”
Other stars also shared their thoughts about the uniform rule like tennis champ Billie Jean King pointing out that “the men’s team wears shorts.”
The Norwegian Women’s Beach Handball team is facing fines for wanting to wear shorts instead of bikini bottoms. The bottoms are not to cover “more than 10cm on any sides.”
The men’s team wears shorts.
The sexualization of women athletes must stop. https://t.co/IZEzbrE0Iw
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) July 20, 2021
European Handball Federation President Michael Wiederer has since released a statement saying the rules will be changed.
“I can confirm that the EHF will do all it can to ensure that a change of athlete uniform regulations can be implemented,” a statement read. “Significant efforts will be made in order to further promote the sport in the best way possible for everyone, regardless of gender.”
