Female athletes suffer double standards when it comes to uniforms in the Tokyo Olympics.

The Norwegian women's beach handball team was penalized for wearing too long shorts, British paralympian Olivia Breen was informed her underwear were too short by an official, and Olympic swimmer Alice Dearing would not be allowed to wear a swimming cap for natural black hair at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The clothing worn by female athletes is being scrutinized.

The 24-year-old claims she followed all athletic uniform laws, which enable athletes in her department to wear sponsor gear (the briefs) if they simultaneously wear a club vest or a national kit. Their attire are really not allowed to be "objectionable or see-through."

Breen filed an official complaint with England Athletics, but has yet to get a response. The teenage athlete will compete in the Tokyo Paralympics in August and plans to wear the "controversial" briefs. “They aren't going to stop me from wearing them.” She stated, "I will be wearing them in Tokyo."

Breen's situation is far from unique. Alice Dearing, the first black swimmer to represent Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics, will be unable to use the swimming cap she has been pushing, which is designed specifically for natural black hair.

The International Swimming Federation (FINA) banned the use of swimming caps designed to preserve dreadlocks, afros, weaves, braids, and thick curly hair for the 2021 Olympic Games earlier this month. FINA informed Soul Cap, the business behind the swimming caps, that their product does not fit "the natural form of the head."

The European Handball Federation (EHF) penalized the Norwegian women's beach handball team 1,500 euros for wearing shorts instead of bikini bottoms during the Euro 2021 championships, in yet another effort to punish female athletes for their attire. The EHF stated the players didn't follow athlete uniform requirements, which require women to wear bikini bottoms, and called it an instance of "improper clothing." “with a close fit and cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg” and are determined by the International Handball Federation.

Male beach handball players, on the other hand, can wear shorts that are up to 10 centimetres above the knee as long as they aren't "too baggy." Before the competition, the team addressed the EHF and requested permission to play in shorts. Any violation of protocol would result in sanctions, they were told.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which organizes the Olympic Games, claims it is not responsible for adopting and implementing consistent rules. Instead, it is up to each particular sport's international federations to determine what is proper apparel for each gender group.

The Badminton World Federation was less lenient in 2011 when it came to uniform standards. The organization decided that female athletes competing at an elite level must wear dresses or skirts before of the 2012 London Olympics. They justified their choice by claiming that it would result in a more "attractive presentation."

However, current sartorial controversies are only the latest stumbling block for female athletes, particularly at the Olympic Games. For decades, women were forbidden from participating in the games and were even subjected to gender testing. Female athletes are nevertheless subjected to harsher scrutiny than their male colleagues, despite the IOC's explicit promotion of equality.