British pole vaulter and Olympic bronze medalist Holly Bradshaw has spoken out about the prevalence of invasive camera footage from live athletic events. She noted that athletes often find themselves preoccupied with the positioning of cameras rather than their athletic performance, leading to instances of social media abuse and the circulation of undignified imagery.
In response to these concerns, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has collaborated with athletes like Bradshaw and Serbian long jumper Ivana Spanovic to establish formal guidelines for broadcasters. The new standards aim to eliminate sexualized framing, advising against low-angle shots and unnecessary slow-motion replays that focus on athletes in vulnerable positions.
Glen Killane, executive director of EBU Sport, emphasized that the goal is to remove lingering body shots and editing choices that lack technical merit. These practices have long caused discomfort and raised concerns regarding the mental well-being of female competitors. The EBU, which supplies sports coverage to over a billion viewers, may implement these changes as soon as the upcoming European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. While the BBC is an EBU partner, other independent events like the Diamond League are not mandated to follow these specific protocols.
