Q. Why do women beach volleyball players wear bikinis? Is it just for good TV?

A. No, it's because the sand doesn't get trapped as much, according to Holly McPeak, a beach volleyball Olympian. She won the bronze in 2004 with Elaine Youngs. With a one-piece, the sand collects in the bottom of the suit and gets caught, she said.

"There's no avoiding sand in beach volleyball," she said. "The less amount of tight restrictve clothing where it's going to collect in, the better."

After a dive in the sand, letting caught sand out of the bikini top is much easier, she said. You simply pull at the bottom of the top to let the sand out, she said.

She said uncomfortable wedgies are rare, since the bikinis worn are made for sport; they are supposed to stay in place.

While the women bare their skin, the men sport tanks and shorts. In cold weather, it's probably nice to have the tank on, she said. But she feels sorry for them in the heat.

"In hot humid weather, that jersey gets soaking wet and starts to collect sand as well," she said. "It's another piece of material on you that is not comfortable."