A photo showing two female Olympic beach volleyball players in contrasting outfits has gone viral.

The photo, by Reuters photographer Lucy Nicholson, shows Egypt's Doaa Elghobashy and Germany's Kira Walkenhorst rising by the net in an attempt to reach the ball.

While Walkenhorst sports a traditional beach volleyball two-piece bikini, Elghobashy's hijab, long sleeves and leggings caught observers' eye. 

The image, showing the contrast in cultures and challenging notions of what an athlete should wear, quickly started spreading across social media. 

Clothing rules for athletes were relaxed for the London 2012 Olympics, allowing female Muslim athletes who wear the hijab to compete. 

Walkenhorst and her teammate Laura Ludwig went on to beat Egypt's Elghobashy and Nada Meawad in a 40-minute match. 

Elghobashy later told reporters "I have worn the hijab for 10 years. It doesn't keep me away from the things I love to do, and beach volleyball is one of them."

 

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