LET’S TALK BIKINI It’s my training outfit, my competition outfit and my favorite vacation outfit 👙 (ok I like dresses too 😄) Since it has been a topic dicussed over and over again in the media and on social, I would like to make some statements: I love wearing a bikini. I feel strong and powerful wearing a bikini, cause that’s how I feel most comfortable to play my sport in the heat, in the sand and at the beach. People may think it’s uncomfortable to wear a bikini all the time, but I have actually never met a female pro beachvolleyball player which does not like to wear her bikinis, yet. Our sport comes from the beach and it shows a great diversity of bodies. Of couse it is an advantage to have a fit body to be able to play our sport at the highest level, but it would be the same wearing long clothes. I do think it was very important though to change the FIVB regulations, so every women has the choice to wear what she feels comfortable with at any particular day. Tights, shorts, bikinis etc., the preference can change according to many reasons like injuries, temperature or for example being on our period. I think it’s an important and very good step for our sport that women can chose. Time for people to know this has changed☝🏼 For me competing in Doha this week being asked to wear shorts is something I want to respect, cause I know bringing the sport to new territories and cultures will help women in these countries to get to know our sport and participate in the future. It’s about giving access to the sport. Of couse I stand for women’s rights, and I am sad to see women not being treated equally to men. I believe I can use my platfrom by playing my sport and show the example a of a woman that is free to make her own choices. Showing women that are working hard for their dreams, standing up for themselves. Show values of sportsman(women)ship and integrity. Also the public gets to see a sport where women and men are equally paid💰 That being said, I am wondering on how you see this topic? See you at the beach 😊👙💕 Anouk 📷 Sergio Villalba #beachvolleyball #bikini #work #women #womeninsports Victoria Bieneck Brandie Wilkerson Margareta Kozuch Julie Gordon Mariafe Artacho del Solar Isabelle Steffen, OLY Joana Heidrich Liliana Fernández Steiner Travis Mewhirter Megan McNamara Tina Graudina Karla Borger Agatha Bednarczuk Rippel Marloes Wesselink Kerri Walsh Jennings Jantine Van der Vlist Chris McHugh OLY Sarah Pavan Youssef Krou Lea Masserini Muriel Grässli Casey Patterson, OLYMPIAN Alexei Strasser Sandra Ittlinger Sarah Meyer Suarez Aida Shouk Anja Leber Madelein Meppelink OLY Louise Bawden OLY Phoebe Bell Stefan Boermans Maddison McKibbin
Aida Shouk
2y
Super post Anouk! 😍 Je suis tout à fait d'accord avec toi. Je pense qu'il est important de laisser le choix et de respecter celui-ci. Une chose importante que tu mentionnes et le fait de respecter d'autres cultures et de ne pas juger ces autres cultures. Dans la salle il y a de plus en plus d'hommes et de femmes qui jouent avec des leggins sous leurs shorts et normalement tu dois avoir un certificat médical pour faire cela, ce qui pour moi ne fait pas de sens. J'espère donc que les divers règlements vont vraiment être adaptés et que nous laissons tout simplement la liberté du choix!
Anouk Vergé-Dépré That was one of best written and well balanced articles I have read for a long time. Everything you said about respect and choice was well thought out and balanced against your longer term goal to make your [and frankly all sport] accessible to all people regardless of gender/race/culture etc Good luck competing and hopefully your message gets good cut through
I’m looking forward to cheering on you, Anouk and all the amazingly strong, athletic women competing in Doha this week. It is great to see that both men and women are supported to compete, and I am in favour of achieving a balance of both respect for diversity in culture and equal rights for men and women. Here’s to progress! 🙌💪
Most Welcome to Doha! thank you for your strength, bravery, and openness.
Well said Anouk. I have been asked this question all over during my beachvolley career and I was answering the exact same as you. Great that women can now choose what to wear that's a big step. I hope you will motivate many girls for our sport when playing in doha. You're a great example. Best of luck to you guys.
Love your post Anouk Vergé-Dépré - thanks for sharing & all the best.
I love this. I have always wondered how many young females have shyed away from pursuing beach volleyball as their main sport because they were uncomfortable with the uniform requirements. This may not help with the fan base but it may grow the playing base!
As a native Brazilian, from Rio de Janeiro, a place where women (and men) of all shapes, forms and age feel confident of showing their figures at the beach 365 days/ year, I could not agree more. Bikinis are comfortable perfect for the beach. Fantastic that volleyball federation is allowing people to play with different outfits too, but let’s not lose track that the sport still called “beach volleyball” and the beach culture should also be kept.
Complimenti per il contenuto e il messaggio. Ogni persona deve sentirsi libera di porsi ed esprimersi come meglio crede sia in termini di vestiti che di pensiero e parole. L'importante è farlo nel rispetto delle persone, dei luoghi e delle diverse culture. Ma in primis nel rispetto del proprio io. Stare bene con se stessi, vuol dire stare bene con il mondo che ci circonda. Complimenti Anouk. Brava e bella. Viva la pallavolo e il Beach volley.
CEO
2yHi Anouk, As a Qatari, you got my attention very well when you said about Qatar: “Of couse I stand for women’s rights, and I am sad to see women not being treated equally to men”. You first need to define the meaning of “equality” I believe you already know that last year on March 2021, “Switzerland has voted in favour of banning face coverings in public, including the burka or niqab worn by Muslim women.” A leading Swiss Islamic group, the Central Council of Muslims said it was "a dark day" for Muslims” "Today's decision opens old wounds, further expands the principle of legal inequality, and sends a clear signal of exclusion to the Muslim minority” As much as you “love wearing bikini” which makes you feel “strong and powerful”, there are so many other women in this world who also love not to show their bodies “willingly” to others. Don’t these people deserve to have the freedom to choose what to wear? When I visit Europe, I do respect the countries’ cultures and living standards since I shouldn’t intervene in their lifestyle; however, I also expect others who visit Qatar to respect our lifestyle which is based on our religion and culture. You’re always welcome to Qatar,and I hope you witness the joy and freedom of women