Sociological Images has an interesting post up on the sexualization of female Olympiads. The team uniforms that women wear in comparison to the uniforms that men wear is very interesting. The beach volleyball uniforms are the most striking in terms of apparel difference. The men’s uniform consists of a mesh tank top with mesh shorts. The uniform for women basically exposes as much skin as possible. I am all for the celebration of women’s bodies and am not dissing the women who are wearing the uniforms. However, when people start saying that the women’s beach volleyball uniform is all about performance, that’s when I start raising eyebrows. If it was all about enhancing an athletes playing ability, why aren’t the men’s beach volleyball players shirtless and wearing speedos?