When beach volleyball joined the Olympics in 1996, critics complained it had been included simply to boost viewing figures with bronzed beach babes in bikinis. While sex appeal certainly sells the sport, players say they draw energy from the attention they get, rather than see themselves as objects of desire. "I feel I'm empowered. I'm a sportswoman, I'm getting stronger all the time and this is my uniform," said US player Kerri Walsh, sweeping her hand across a black and white bikini. "I don't really care about the image. You just get out and play and feed off the support," Brazil's Renata Ribeiro added.
Under the Olympic beach volleyball rules, bikini bottoms should be seven cm (2.76 inches) across the hip -- neither indecently skimpy nor overly constricting. Women have the option of playing in a one-piece bathing suit, but most opt not to because they are uncomfortable when sand gets in and wear the "Brazilian brief" size bottom.
Men must wear shorts at least 10cm (3.94 inches) above the knee and a tank top. American Todd Rogers however prefers to play bare-chested and encourages people to get up a petition to make this happen. "I'm in. I'll sign. It's more comfortable anyway in this heat," he said, stretching out in the sand after a training session in a pair of long, red trunks and no top. *Reuters