"Child r*pist in men's but God forbid we can't objectify women" - Fans lash out at criticism over women's beach volleyball attire at Paris Olympics

Beach volleyball fans expressed their rage over the objectification of women's uniforms at the Paris Olympics while allowing the Netherlands' Steven van de Velde — a convicted child r*pist — to participate at the men's event.

The 33rd edition of the Olympic Games is currently underway in the French capital, where both male and female beach volleyball preliminary rounds started on July 27 and are now in full swing. However, a debate sparked amongst sports fans and pundits after traditional bikini uniforms for female athletes were replaced with long athletic wear.

The incident took place when the American duo of Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss faced their Canadian counterparts, Heather Bansley and Sophie Bukovec, on Sunday, July 28, in a preliminary game. All four athletes were seen sporting long legging pants instead of bikinis, which has been a traditional sports outfit for female beach volleyball athletes for years.

One fan did not like the replacement, writing on Twitter (now X):

"I waited 4 years for fucking PANTS?!!?!??!??! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH."

However, this did not go down well with others. Reacting to the tweet, a fan criticized the objectification of female athletes' outfits while allowing a convicted child rapist to compete. The fan wrote:

"there is a convicted child rapist in the men’s beach volleyball but god forbid we can’t objectify women enough."

Another fan expressed their disappointment, writing:

""enough is enough"? are u f*cking serious? THERE IS A P**OFILE IN THE OLYMPICS VILLAGE."

Here are a few more reactions to the controversy.

"You are disgusting. These are professional athletes who worked hard to get to the Olympics and are not there to cater you perverted fantasies, you f*cking sick mf," a fan wrote.

"Men are fucking disgusting. Those are professional athletes of olympics level. You couch champion moron. Only record you must be breaking is for cholesterol levels," commented a fan.

"you guys are pathetic perverts and i hope you never watch the olympics ever again. in fact stay in your house and never come out unless you learn how to exist in society," tweeted a fan

The aftermath of the uninform change controversy at the Paris Olympics

VolleyBall World Beach Pro Tour 2024 in Messina - Source: Getty

The American, Canadian, Australian, and other beach volleyball team athletes appeared wearing the orthodox bikini outfits to beat the heat at the Paris Olympics the very next day after they competed in the leggings at the Eiffel Tower Stadium. On the other hand, the Egyptian lineup also competed at the event in their modest hijab outfits.

Dr. Paul Bowell, a Swinburne’s Sport Innovation Research Group researcher, stated that the uniforms that the athletes wear directly impact their performance in their respective sports. Dr. Bowell said (via News.com.au):

"Women are often made to wear uniforms that make them feel uncomfortable. These uniforms are revealing and can over-se*ualise the athlete’s body.Uniform choices can influence athletes’ confidence, comfort, and ultimately, their athletic achievements."

He further added that the officials at the Paris Olympics should ensure the well-being of athletes so they can feel comfortable in their sports gear.