Broadcasters covering athletics have been issued with new guidelines on camera work and commentary designed to end the sexualised framing of female athletes that has been a persistent source of complaint from competitors and viewers.
The guidelines, developed by the International Association of Athletics Federations in consultation with broadcasters and athlete representatives, cover camera angles, slow-motion replays, and the language used by commentators. They instruct directors to frame female athletes in the same way as their male counterparts — focusing on athletic performance rather than body parts — and to avoid lingering shots that have no sporting purpose.
The guidelines also address the disparity in how male and female athletes are described. Research has shown that female athletes are more likely to be described in terms of their appearance, age and family status, while male athletes are described in terms of their power, skill and achievement. The new guidelines instruct commentators to focus on performance regardless of the athlete's gender.
The initiative has been welcomed by athletes, many of whom have spoken publicly about the impact of sexualised coverage on their experience of the sport. Dina Asher-Smith, the British sprinter, said she had been asked about her hair and nails in post-race interviews more often than she had been asked about her training or tactics.
The guidelines are voluntary, but the IAAF has made clear that broadcasters who do not comply may find their access to events restricted. Several major broadcasters, including the BBC and NBC, have indicated they will adopt the guidelines.
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