New broadcasting guidelines for women’s athletics have been introduced to crack down on camera angles and slow-motion replays that “sexualize” women athletes.
The guidelines ban camera angles that broadcasters are urged to avoid in television replays, Dexerto reported.
The new guidance for women’s athletics coverage was released in Europe, with broadcasters urged to focus on performance and technical ability rather than a woman’s curves.
The guidelines are expected to be adopted in the United States as well.
“The sexualization of women athletes through selective camera angles and editing choices continues to be a significant concern across many sports broadcasts,” said Glen Killane, Executive Director of EBU Sports.
The European Broadcasting Union’s Raising the Bar guidelines provide approved camera angles that take the focus away from an athlete’s assets.
“Lingering shots on bodies, low-angle cameras that capture revealing views, and excessive slow-motion replays that serve no technical or storytelling purpose are among the issues observed in the media coverage of women’s athletics competitions today,” Killane said.
The 23-page guideline uses examples from real sports broadcasts to highlight potentially “compromising” shots.
Athletes often complain about “sexualized” camera angles. However, sports fans placed the blame on women who wear skimpy sports attire.
Why not give female athletes proper shorts instead? This is a genuine question. If male athletes can wear shorts, I don't see why female ones can't wear it either
— The Doctor (@Doctorthe113) July 14, 2026
It's never suggested that women should dress more modestly but that would also very easily solve this problem. pic.twitter.com/0M0dWs9Xrt
— Ryan (@RCAM_Media) July 14, 2026
Men wear shorts why can’t women. I’ve never understood this. This isn’t a bikini contest.
— Zach Vorhies / Google Whistleblower (@Perpetualmaniac) July 14, 2026