New Guidelines Aim to Curb Sexualization of Female Athletes in Athletics Broadcasts
The European Broadcasting Union has issued recommendations for broadcasters to avoid sexualizing female athletes through camera angles and editing, ahead of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Ahead of the European Athletics Championships starting August 10 in Birmingham, UK, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has released a 23-page document with practical guidelines for broadcasters to reduce the sexualization of female athletes in coverage.
The guidelines, developed in cooperation with female athletes and endorsed by European Athletics, urge directors to emphasize athletic performance rather than body-focused shots. Specific recommendations include avoiding prolonged close-ups of particular body parts, low-angle shots from behind or below the athletes, and slow-motion replays that add no technical or narrative value. Instead, broadcasters are encouraged to use wider camera angles that better capture the athlete's movement and technique, and to prioritize visuals that explain performance or technique.
The recommendations are particularly aimed at events such as high jump, pole vault, horizontal jumps, and running races. They are based on similar initiatives implemented during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where camera operators received instructions to avoid unconscious gender bias and ensure coverage focused on competition rather than appearance.
While the guidelines are not legally binding, their goal is to promote more respectful coverage of women's athletics. They are set to be introduced at the upcoming European Championships.
