Women athletes get new camera rules at European champs

New guidelines aimed at preventing broadcasters from sexualising coverage of women athletes will be used when the European championships start in Birmingham on Monday, August 10.

The Geneva-based European Broadcasting Union said it developed the guidelines with women athletes to avoid sexualising action through unnecessary camera angles. The championships run from August 10 to 16.

The guidance sets out camera approaches to avoid, including low angles beneath athletes in events such as the high jump and pole vault, lingering shots on bodies and excessive slow-motion replays that have no technical or storytelling purpose.

Holly Bradshaw, Britain's Olympic pole vault bronze medallist, said live coverage can be powerful but “sometimes harmful” to women competing and to women and girls watching. She said she had received social media abuse and seen inappropriate videos of herself and colleagues when slow-motion footage of competition was captured.

French pole vaulter Marie-Julie Bonnin said she had seen photos and videos of herself in action that had “no sporting interest” and sometimes asked organisers or photographers to delete them.

British sprinter Amy Hunt called the change welcome and said women athletes should not have to change what they wear to feel comfortable while competing.