European Athletics and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) 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.

Source: Reuters