 However , the FIVB 's mandating of the bikini ran into problems . Some sports officials consider it exploitative and impractical in colder weather . It also drew the ire of some athletes . At the 2006 Asian Games at Doha , Qatar , only one Muslim country – Iraq – fielded a team in the beach volleyball competition because of concerns that the uniform was inappropriate . They refused to wear bikinis . The weather during the evening games in 2012 London Olympics was so cold that the players sometimes had to wear shirts and leggings . Earlier in 2012 , FIVB had announced it would allow shorts ( maximum length 3 cm ( 1 @.@ 2 in ) above the knee ) and sleeved tops at the games . Richard Baker , the federation spokesperson , said that " many of these countries have religious and cultural requirements so the uniform needed to be more flexible " . 
