'Sexist' handball uniform rules changed after female players fined for protest

Bikini-style uniforms will no longer be mandated for female beach handball players following protests by players and European lawmakers.

The new wording by the sport's governing body follows a campaign started by the Norwegian national team in July and now allows women to wear "short tight pants" and tank tops instead of bikinis.

The Norwegian federation was fined because players wore "improper clothing" at the European Championship in July.

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The team had worn shorts to protest the bikini rule and were fined €1,500 ($2,300), equating to roughly $230 per player, by the European Handball Federation.

The players' protest received support from the Norwegian Handball Association (NHF), which said in a tweet, "We are very proud of these girls who during the European Championships raised their voices and announced that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH."

Pop singer Pink also backed the Norwegians and offered to pay the fine, saying she was "very proud" of the team for challenging the "very sexist" rules.

"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 chart-topper tweeted.

During an appearance on UK television show Lorraine, team members Tonya Lurstaad and Julia Bird said they had wanted to change the women's uniform for a long time.

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"We want to grow this sport so everyone can feel they want to participate. Because of body insecurities, a lot of women just say, 'No, I don't want to do this', and that's really sad," Lurstaad explained.

"If the guys can do it in a t-shirt and shorts, we should be able to do it in the exact same outfit."

The Norwegian team's protest also sparked a Change.org petition about the uniform rules that drew more than 60,000 signatures.

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Team handball's rules ahead of the Tokyo Olympics seemed out of line with an IOC directive to curb overly sexualised images of female athletes.

There is still a gender divide in the updated International Handball Federation equipment rules — female players are told to wear pants "with a close fit" while men's shorts can be "not too baggy."

The Switzerland-based IHF updated the rules in a document on its website dated October 3.

Days earlier, the sports ministers from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland urged the IHF and other international sports to let athletes "be dressed in a way that suits performance and comfort."