Topless Danish gymnasts cause a stir in Brazil

Danes were unaware that sunbathing topless was not permitted before a local reporter published a photo showing the “obscene act” – it has since been shared over 7,000 times

Danish gymnasts in Brazil have been turning heads, although not for their high-flying acrobatics.

The National Danish Performance Team is currently on tour in South America and during some spare time in Rio de Janeiro, members ventured down to Copacabana Beach to catch some rays with their tops off.

Little did the young women know that topless sunbathing is not permitted in Brazil, leading a local reporter to snap a photo of the girls in the act and post it on the news website G1.

“The gymnasts donned their bikini tops after discovering, to their surprise, that the practise is not usual in Brazil and could be seen by some as ‘obscene act’”, G1 reported, according to The Copenhagen Post's translation of the Portuguese report.

The National Danish Performance Team pictured in South Africa with the Danish ambassador René Dinesen (Photo: National Danish Performance Team)The article with the photograph has so far been shared over 7,000 times and received over 1,000 comments on the website.

“We knew that a photo came out in the press and the girls are embarrassed,” coach Mette Mogensen told G1. “They did not know that topless sunbathing is prohibited in Brazil, because it is common in Denmark.”

Mogensen expressed regret that the photograph had been published.

“We are here to promote the sport,” she said.

The National Danish Performance Team consists of 14 men and 14 women, aged 20-26, who are touring the world and holding workshop and presentations to teach gymnastics to children.

G1 reports that they are planning to leave Rio de Janeiro today. 

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