European Athletics and the European Broadcasting Union introduced guidelines on Tuesday aimed at preventing the sexualisation of female athletes through camera angles and the use of replays.
The guidelines follow feedback from athletes who said certain camera shots can cause discomfort and distractions by drawing attention away from their performances.
“The development of filming guidelines is a crucial step toward eliminating harmful portrayals of women in our sports while maintaining the highest level of storytelling and technical excellence,” European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov said.
Broadcasters are advised to avoid prolonged close-up shots of specific body parts, low-angle views filmed from behind or beneath athletes, and slow-motion replays that do not contribute to the understanding of the sporting action.
The guidelines aim to ensure coverage remains focused on athletic performance and reduce the risk of footage being taken out of context and shared inappropriately online.
