2012 Olympics and the costume controversy

The 2012 London Olympics has made history for having female representation from every participating nation for the first time ever. This means that there are not just more women at the Games, but more women from Arab states who have so far had very few women, or none at all in the previous editions. This latest development, together with the picture of the typical contemporary form fitting or skimpy costumes of female athletes, sets off an alarm.
How are the female athletes from the Arab nations going to pull off participation at the Games?

 
Earlier in the Games, there was a controversy between the International Olympic Committee chiefs and Saudi Arabian authorities over the use of Hijab by athletes.

Most of the sports encourage form fitting Lycra suits, skimpy wears, and in some cases like the Beach Volleyball, both. The female athletes from the Arab countries are certainly not going to be caught dead in such outfits. Along with them comes a dress code that is very different. And this year’s Olympics is seeing a variation in what’s acceptable, even within the Arab/Islamic dress code, than has ever been seen before. Female athletes from the Arab nations can be spotted in loose fitting or head covering costumes. ‘Dressing to preserve dignity’ it’s tagged.
All of these Islamic dress code and principle is however a far cry from the costumes female athletes from other countries are sporting. Ranging from the body hugging swim or gymnastic suits, to skimpy volleyball bikinis. The athletes and fans alike, love their outfits on the other side, as opposed to the their middle east counterparts. As a matter of fact, when the International Volleyball Federation recently lifted the mandate on the bikini and allowed more modest attire such as shorts and tees for athletes from countries who wanted a little more cover, it was taken almost as an affront by both athletes and fans of the sport. This leaves us questioning the motive of both parties; athletes and fans. Are the athletes genuinely concerned about the sport itself or more concerned about showing off perfectly toned athletic limbs and physique? And are the fans drawn to the sport itself or to the sight of semi-naked women playing the sport? 

 
Whatever the motive of both parties, the Games do continue notwithstanding. More importantly, a balance, though contrasting, had been struck. For the athletes who want to cover up (dressing to preserve dignity), and those who don’t mind baring all the skin. Little wonder why they are not so keen on preserving ‘their dignity’, I guess part of their dignity is their perfectly toned, beautiful physique. Now tell me, why they shouldn’t flaunt it.

Journalist:- Ofejiro Egbedi

Source: The Nation.