Which sports events will implement these new guidelines first?

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The European Championships will be the first sporting events to implement the new guidelines.

New guidelines aimed at preventing the sexualisation of women athletes in sports broadcasts will be implemented starting with the European championships. These championships are scheduled to take place in Birmingham from August 10 to August 16. The guidelines were developed by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in collaboration with female athletes.
Introduction of New Broadcast Guidelines

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), an alliance of public service media organisations with members in 57 countries, has established new guidelines to address the sexualisation of women athletes in broadcast coverage. These guidelines were formulated through consultations with female athletes to ensure they accurately reflect the concerns of those competing. The aim is to prevent the use of unnecessary or inappropriate camera angles that could sexualise the athletes' actions.
Athlete Involvement in Guideline Development

Several prominent female athletes contributed to the development of these guidelines. British Olympic pole vault bronze medallist Holly Bradshaw, for instance, was involved in advising the EBU. Bradshaw highlighted the powerful yet potentially harmful impact of live broadcast coverage on women athletes and viewers, citing personal experiences of online abuse and inappropriate videos stemming from slow-motion replays. She noted instances where athletes felt distracted by cameras rather than focusing on their performance due to excessive camera focus on their bodies.
Specific Camera Angle Restrictions

The roadmap for acceptable camera angles, as drawn up following discussions with athletes, specifically prohibits certain shots. Low camera angles, particularly in events like high jump or pole vault, are to be avoided to prevent the creation of compromising images. The EBU's sport executive director, Glen Killane, stated that lingering shots on athletes' bodies, low-angle cameras capturing revealing views, and excessive slow-motion replays without clear technical or storytelling purpose are among the identified issues in current media coverage of women's athletics.
Broader Impact and Athlete Comfort

The new guidelines also address the comfort and performance of athletes. Sprinter Amy Hunt commented on the need for such conversations, acknowledging technological advancements that allow for closer sports coverage. She pointed out that cameras placed in starting blocks, for example, have been flagged as a potential issue for women athletes. Hunt emphasised that athletes should not feel compelled to alter their attire to feel comfortable and that they should be able to focus on their performance without inhibition, viewing the new guidelines as a positive step forward.

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Which sports events will implement these new guidelines first?

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