European Handball Federation has changed its mandate that requires women players to wear bikinis. Earlier, Handball Federation handed over a fine to the Norwegian handball team for wearing shorts and refusing to wear bikini bottoms. However, the decision prompted backlash from many celebrities and activists, who called for the sexist rule to end.
Norway’s Handball Federation also resisted the norms and claimed that they would rather pay the fine than make athletes wear the clothes they are not comfortable with. Norway’s sports minister Abid Raja termed this rule as ridiculous as well. Activist Tahlita Stone compiled more than 60,000 petitions and in the latest handball rule book, the mention of bikinis didn’t occur. And now the Handball Federation has officially recognized the rule change.