The sexualization of women in sports is causing female athletes to be dehumanized, degraded, and disrespected in the athletic community. Countless women have attempted to speak out on the topic but are quickly being silenced.           

  An NPR report states that the Norwegian women’s beach handball team is in a battle with the sport’s governing body to wear less-revealing uniforms. The team repeatedly complained about the required bikini bottoms until they wore shorts during one of their games in protest and were fined $175 per player.

    “I think the clothes are what is most sexualized in the world of sports. I think that some women don’t think they will be comfortable in the clothing attributed to this sport,” college freshman Shelby Sammis said. 

     British Paralympian Olivia Breen was reported by an official after competing in the long jump at the English Championships in Bedford on July 18, 2021, saying her briefs were “too short and inappropriate”.

     “The sexualization of women most directly affects the uniforms and attire women are forced to wear in sports today in America,” senior Christiana Mitrano said.

     Fabrizio Rossini, the press officer for the Federation Internationale de Volleyball, said before any official matches or tournaments, players sign agreements with the federation for several things, including game rules and photo rights. While only federation-sanctioned uniforms can be worn, the organization has made exceptions in countries like India, where some players recently requested a cover-up for religious reasons.

     “I feel like [the effect on women in the sexualization in sports] is degrading sometimes because people don’t think I can do certain things involving sports, and you don’t have a support system sometimes when you need one,” junior Amaya Hall said

   Donna A. Lopiano, President of Sports Management Resources stated that when male athletes receive media attention, such coverage is primarily focused on their skilled performance, but when female athletes receive media attention, the media is much more likely to focus on their physical attractiveness or non-sports-related activities.

       “It’s important to provide education on [the sexualization of women in sports] for everyone, especially for those who are unaware of the harm,” Sammis said. 

     Even professional tennis player Serena Williams often deals with stories fixating on sexualizing or criticizing her body instead of applauding her unmatched success in tennis. Williams said in an interview with New York Times, “If they want to market someone who is white and blonde, that’s their choice. There is enough at the table for everyone”. The intersection of racism and sexism has perhaps never been at such a high pitch in a sports conversation as when it comes to Williams.

 “Women are starting to have more of a voice and become more of leaders and examples or role models,” Hall said. 

    A study from the National Collegiate Athletic Association revealed that athletes in more objectified sports experience greater thin-ideal internalization, thereby enhancing body shame without increasing body surveillance or body image concerns. 

     “Women can feel stress because of this sexualization and not feel comfortable by perhaps feeling judged,” Mitrano said

    Sports are often a “microcosm of our society,” said Akilah Carter-Francique, the executive director for the Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and Social Change at San José State University. Women being judged on their perceived femininity rather than their athleticism is a symptom of a bigger problem.