What is with the girls beach VB bikinis?

Question

They are so tiny, is this a marketing thing or comfort thing?

They must get sand up everything....

Answer 1

It's a long answer but, this is what the FIVB (the governing body to set the uniform requirements) has to say about it...In short if you don't want to read the whole thing if the ladies choose to wear a bikini over a full piece suit they are only allowed to wear a suit that is as follows

24.4 Women’s Uniforms

• Style (see diagram)

The top must fit closely to the body and the design must be with deep

cutaway armholes on the back, upper chest and stomach (2-piece),

respecting the space for the required for the manufacturer logo, player

number, country flag and country code, and the place for the player’s name.

The briefs should be in accordance with the enclosed diagram, be a close

fit and be cut on an upward angle towards the top of the leg. The side

width must be maximum 7 cm.

The one piece uniform must closely fit and the design must be with open

back and upper chest, respecting the space for the required inscriptions

to be made.

So, the suits they wear are based on the sporting bodies rules and rugulations rather than just on personal comfort or a desire to show off. But, contrary to the answer I received from them I'd say its more abut marketing than medical suggestions :o)  

The rest of the uniform requirements including mens uniform requirements and the FIVB's answer follows:

24. CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT, ACCESSORIES, AND MARKETING

24.1 Concept

Beach Volleyball players compete in a beach environment and are expected

to project a healthy image.

Sun, sea and sand are critical elements in every competition and forces

to be dealt with.

In order to cope with a sunny and sandy environment, the FIVB has

established uniforms' standards based on the recommendations of its

medical and technical advisors, and in accordance to the rule 57 of the

Olympic Charter.

24.2 Standards

The men and women players' uniforms must correspond to the standards

herein indicated.

Note: These standards are based on the uniforms used in Atlanta 1996 and

Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. No commercial trademark or design other than

that of the Manufacturer and authorized prints as per FIVB regulations

may appear on any accessories and/or clothing.

The official men's uniform for the Olympic Beach Volleyball tournament

consists of:

- a tank top and shorts

- eventual accessories

The official women's uniform for the Olympic Beach Volleyball tournament

consists of:

- a top and briefs

or

- a one piece uniforms

- eventual accessories

Players from the same team must wear identical uniforms (style, fabric

and color).

24.3 Men’s Uniforms

• Style (see diagram)

The tank top must fit closely to the body and the design must be with

open arms, respecting the space for the required placements of the

manufacturer trademark, player number, country flag and country code,

also respecting the place for the player’s name.

The shorts must be in accordance with the enclosed diagram and not be

baggy. For all players the bottom of the shorts must be a minimum of

15cm above the top of the knee cap.

• Fabric

The tank top must be made of elastic material, preferably Lycra or a

combination of Lycra/cotton, or other similar good quality synthetic

material.

• Colour

The tank top should be of bright and light colors. The shorts may be of

darker colour. The use of white dominant color is not recommended by the

Host Broadcaster.

• General guidelines and design on uniforms (see diagram)

a) Manufacturer's Logo

It can be placed on the front of the tank top and on the front of the

shorts and must not exceed 20 cm² each. It can be printed, embroidered

or woven.

b) FIVB Player's Number

The FIVB players' number measures 12 cm x 10 cm and must be placed as

per the enclosed diagram on the front and on the back of the tank top.

It can be printed, embroidered or woven, in a color contrasting well

with the color of the tank top (i.e. light on a dark tank top, dark on a

light tank top).

c) Country Code and Flag

The three-letter international country code and the country flag must be

compulsorily printed on the front of the tank top as per the enclosed

diagram.

The country code and the flag must be printed, embroidered or woven on

the front of the tank top as per the enclosed diagram.

The country code and the flag must be placed on a total surface of max.

8 cm (height) x 10 cm (width). Only the country code can be placed below

the flag. Country code's letters must be 1cm wide maximum.

d) Player's Name

The player's name must be placed on the back of the tank top as per the

enclosed diagram and in a color contrasting with that of the uniform.

Letters must be max. 10 cm high and 1,5 cm wide. The player's name must

correspond with the international player's identification (team name

used for the results, rankings, on scoreboards, TV graphics, etc.) and

be written in Latin letters. The names can be printed, embroidered or woven

24.4 Women’s Uniforms

• Style (see diagram)

The top must fit closely to the body and the design must be with deep

cutaway armholes on the back, upper chest and stomach (2-piece),

respecting the space for the required for the manufacturer logo, player

number, country flag and country code, and the place for the player’s name.

The briefs should be in accordance with the enclosed diagram, be a close

fit and be cut on an upward angle towards the top of the leg. The side

width must be maximum 7 cm.

The one piece uniform must closely fit and the design must be with open

back and upper chest, respecting the space for the required inscriptions

to be made.

• Fabric

The top and briefs or the one piece uniform must be made of elastic

material, Lycra or a combination of Lycra/cotton, or other similar

quality synthetic material.

• Color

The top and briefs or the one piece uniform should be of bright and

light colors, avoiding dominant white color is not recommended by the

Host Broadcaster.

• General guidelines and design on uniforms (see diagram)

a) Manufacturer's Logo

It can be printed or embroidered or woven on the front of the top and on

the front of the briefs and cannot exceed 20 cm². It can only be printed

once on

the front of the one piece uniform and must not exceed 20 cm².

b) FIVB Player's Number

The FIVB players' numbers measures 8 cm x 6 cm and must be placed as per

the enclosed diagram on the front and on the back of the top. It must be

printed, or embroidered or woven, in a color contrasting well with the

color of the top (i.e. light on a dark tank top, dark on a light tank top).

c) Country Code and Country Flag

The three-letter international country code and the country flag must be

compulsorily printed or embroidered or woven on the front of the top or

one piece uniform as per the enclosed diagram. The country code and the

flag must be placed on a total surface of max. 8 cm (height) x 10 cm

(width). Only the country code must be placed below the flag. Country

code's letters must be max. size 1cm wide maximum.

d) Player's Name

Player's name must be printed or embroidered or woven on the back of the

top or one piece uniform as per the enclosed diagram and in a color

contrasting with that of the uniform. Letters must be max. 8 cm high and

1 cm wide.

The player's name must correspond with the international player's

identification (team name used for the results, rankings, on

scoreboards, TV graphics, etc.) and be written in Latin letters.

24.5 Training and warm-ups suits

Training and warm-up suits can be worn at the venue if they will be in

accordance with the rule 57 of the Olympic Charter.

24.5 Accessories

Players are authorized to use the following accessories:

• sun-visor or cap or hat or headband

• sunglasses

• therapeutic support braces for knee/elbow (with approval of the

Control Committee)

• absorbent sweatband for wrist

• one (1) watch

• one (1) armband (maximum width: 10 cm) or one (1) temporary tattoo,

not both. Such armband or temporary tattoo must be located on the upper

arm only. No religious or political statements are allowed.

• footwear and/or athletic socks (with approval from referees)

• bag

• squeeze bottle

• towel

Each accessory may have only one (1) manufacturer's logo of max. 6 cm².

Sun glasses may have two logos upon obtaining the previous approval from

the parties concerned. The size of the logo for the bag is limited up to

10% of the surface area of the item with the maximum size of 60cm2. No

logo is allowed on the squeeze bottle.

Answer 2

its so they can move easier

Answer 3

marketing.  no one would watch if they dressed normally.

Answer 4

They aren't required to wear a certain thing they can wear whatever but a bikini is easiest to move around in.

Answer 5

i love them....i actually have on just like kerri walsh....but i think its more of a comfort thing....u play beach ball and see how much clothing u wanna wear after that

Answer 6

its a sports thing - wind resistance, aerodynamic for better leaping and extension, comfort, s*x appeal etc...

Answer 7

its both.  they need to have as little as possible to get sand in.   if they wore spandex and sand got up them it would rub against their skin.  however, ask any guy why they watch beach volleyball and they'll tell you its the gurls

Answer 8

I say marketing.  I wouldn't think twice about watching beach volleyball if it weren't for those teeny tiny bikinis.  :)

Answer 9

totally comfort. just like wearing spandex shorts for indoor. plus i think they look s**y! ;)

Answer 10

i'm doing beach vb three years and i know..it's about comfortable ..try to run on the sand and see which is for u the most comfortable way..

Answer 11

It was the only reason that I watched any of the beach volleyball in he last Olympics.  I can't imagine having a piece of cloth riding up your butt when you have to move being very comfortable.  For all I know, they wear somethign under the bikini to keep sand from getting in the special places.

Answer 12

i think it is mostly because they feel more comfortable in bikinis..

if u wear sorts you get hot and sand sticks on u..!

Answer 13

Agreed.  Marketting.  It was a means to a greater end:  to "expose" volleyball to a bigger audience and bring it forward in popularity as a world class sport.  I think beach VB helped the sport as a whole, gain more audience.  More audience, more interest, more particpants, more volleyball...