Executives at the Olympic Broadcasting Service (OBS) have warned Summer Olympics camera crews to avoid sexism when filming the events at the Paris Olympics.
OBS Chief Executive Officer Yannis Exarchos said the organisation has updated its guidelines for operators, most of whom are men.
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IOC CEO Olympic Broadcast Services Giannis Exarchos gestures as he speaks during the Olympic AI Agenda event at Lee Valley VeloPark in London on April 19, 2024. (Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images)
“Unfortunately, some sports are filmed in a way that shows stereotypes and sexism persists, as photographers shoot male and female athletes differently,” Exarchos said. Via AFP.
“Female athletes are not there because they are more attractive or sexy or anything like that. They are there because they are elite athletes.”
Exarchos said the issue was down to “unconscious bias” against men and TV presenters, who tend to feature more close-up shots of women than men.
Torchbearer Giannis Exarchos runs with the torch during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Torch Relay at Beijing Olympic Forest Park on February 4, 2022. (Li He/Xinhua via Getty Images)
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Early in the Paris Olympics, Eurosport was forced to change one of its broadcasting teams after Bob Ballard made comments about the Australian women’s swimming team.
“Well, the ladies have just gotten off work, and you know how they are … hanging out, putting on makeup,” Ballard said over the weekend.
Eurosport has since removed Ballard from its coverage, and he apologised for his comments on Monday.
“Comments I made at the Australian freestyle relay medal ceremony on Saturday have offended some people,” Ballard wrote. “It was never my intention to offend or disparage anyone and I apologize if that was the case. I am a huge fan of women’s sport.”
From left to right, Australia’s Molly O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeown and Meg Harris celebrate on the podium after winning the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nanterre, France, Saturday, July 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schroeder)
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“I will truly miss the Eurosport team and wish them all the best for the remainder of the Olympics,” he added. “I will make no further comment. Thank you.”
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