WE WEAR SHORT SHORTS! FIVB'S UNI POLICY HAS HOT BODS IN MIND

          FIVB is launching its volleyball season "with men
     ordered to wear shorter shorts -- 20 centimetres above the
     knee," according to James Christie of the Toronto GLOBE &
     MAIL, who writes that "baggy, basketball-style apparel won't
     do for the marketing-obsessed" league.  The FIVB uniform
     directive says that "beach volleyball players compete in a
     beach environment and are expected to project a healthy
     image.  Sun, sea and sand are critical elements to be dealt
     with."  Christie notes that the league's "preoccupation with
     exposing enough skin has to be balanced with the players'
     need to wear sponsor advertising."  Because of the "limited
     billboard space on clothing," players, who "are allowed to
     have a maximum of four sponsor logos on their shorts," will
     "be allowed to advertise on their skin, with one temporary
     tatoo permitted on the arm" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 3/31).