European broadcasters now face explicit guidelines on how to film female athletes, a move driven by complaints that certain camera angles and replays have shifted focus away from sporting performance. The new rules, announced Tuesday, aim to eliminate what athletes described as uncomfortable and distracting coverage. Main Developments European Athletics and the European Broadcasting Union jointly issued the guidelines, which advise against prolonged close-ups of specific body parts, low-angle shots from behind or beneath athletes, and slow-motion replays that do not help explain the sporting action. The organisations want coverage to stay fixed on athletic performance and reduce the risk of footage being taken out of context and shared inappropriately online. Production teams are encouraged to use wider camera angles that capture the full scope of an athlete's movement. European Athletics President Dobromir Karamarinov said the guidelines represent a crucial step toward eliminating harmful portrayals of women in sports while maintaining high standards of storytelling and technical excellence. Read also: 3 reasons Balogun's suspended red-card ban sparked World Cup controversy Background Many athletes had previously expressed discomfort with certain camera shots, saying they caused distraction by drawing attention away from their performances. The guidelines directly respond to that feedback. Former world long jump champion Ivana Spanovic urged broadcasters to use innovative angles, including aerial views, and educational graphics to explain aspects of athletic performances. Spanovic noted that slow-motion shots could highlight technical precision—such as the take-off moment or a perfect stride—rather than being used in ways that objectify athletes. Her comments reflect a broader push within athletics to reframe how female competitors are visually presented to audiences. Why It Matters The guidelines mark a formal attempt to change ingrained broadcasting habits that have long drawn criticism for sexualising women in sport. By setting clear technical standards, the organisations hope to protect athletes from inappropriate imagery while keeping coverage engaging. The rules also address the growing concern that footage can be stripped of context and weaponised on social media. What's Next Broadcasters covering European Athletics events will be expected to adopt the new filming practices immediately. The organisations have not announced penalties for non-compliance, leaving enforcement largely to professional standards and public accountability. Whether similar guidelines will be adopted by other sports bodies or at the global level remains an open question.