Swedish city votes to let women go topless

MALMO, Sweden, June 25 (UPI) -- The sports and recreation committee in Malmo, Sweden, has voted to allow women to go topless in the city's swimming pools.

The board struck down a motion that stated: "Women with two-piece swimsuits ought to wear a top piece," after controversy was sparked by members of the feminist Just Breasts/Bare Breasts network made visits to the city's pools sans bikini tops, The Local reported Thursday.

The final measure, which was approved, stated that "everybody should wear bathing suits" at the city's pools, but does not specify that women must cover their upper halves.

"I'm satisfied with the decision," said Bengt Forsberg, chair of the sports and recreation committee on recreation. "Everyone is required to have a swimsuit when visiting the city's indoor pools and if it doesn't cover the upper body, that's OK too."

Forsberg, a Social Democrat, said he believes the entire issue has been overblown.

"We don't define what bathing suits men should wear so it doesn't make much sense to do it for women. And besides, it's not unusual for men to have large breasts that resemble women's breasts," he said.