The International Handball Federation (IHF) amended its rules on the uniform of female athletes. Women will no longer be coerced to play in bikini bottoms.
The decision came as a response to widespread accusation by female players and coaches who deemed the uniform rules as sexist, The New York Times reported.
According to the new rules which will come into effect on 1 January, 2022, "Female athletes must wear short tight pants with a close fit."
Prior to this, the players of women's beach handball team were required to wear bikini bottoms that were "close fit and cut on an upward angle towards the top of the leg." The sides of the bikini bottoms must be shorter than 4 inches.