"Dutch Track Star Voices Opinion on 'Body Close-up Guidelines': 'Women's Bodies Should Not Be Stigmatized'"

Opposing Sexualization Unrelated to Athletic Performance
Caution Needed in Restricting Legitimate Sporting Scenes
Klaver: "We Just Need to Act Sensibly Toward Each Other"

Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaver (27) has expressed a cautious stance regarding newly established broadcast guidelines aimed at reducing the focus on specific body parts of female athletes during filming. On the 27th, Dutch media outlets such as Sportnieuws reported that Klaver shared her thoughts about the guidelines for filming women’s athletics events issued by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and European Athletics, during an interview with local press after recently completing the Netherlands National Championships. Klaver is a top-class sprinter who contributed to the Netherlands winning the gold medal in the mixed 4×400m relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She also took first place in the women’s 200m at the national championships held on the 26th.

Dutch track and field star Lieke Klaiber (27). Lieke Klaiber Instagram

The "Guidelines for Respectful Media Coverage in Women's Athletics" recently released by the EBU are intended to reduce sexual objectification that distracts from the athletic performance of female athletes. The guidelines advise against lingering close-ups of certain body parts, low-angle shots from behind or below, and excessive use of slow-motion when these do not help viewers understand the sporting action. However, the EBU clarified that these are not blanket bans, but rather practical recommendations meant to facilitate discussion between broadcasters and athletes.

Klaver also agreed that certain types of filming can cause athletes significant discomfort. She mentioned having heard of a case in which a camera was placed between a female athlete’s legs while she was in the starting blocks. She added that, whenever a photo she disliked was released, she personally contacted the photographer, and in most cases the photographer promptly deleted the problematic image upon her request.

However, she expressed concern about trying to solve every issue through detailed rules. Klaver stated that "photographers and camera operators also have a responsibility to use their judgment," adding, "there are fundamental norms and values that should be respected when filming female athletes." She further emphasized, "If these guidelines are applied excessively, women’s bodies could once again be stigmatized. I truly do not want that to happen."

Kluver is a top-class sprinter who contributed to the Netherlands winning the gold medal in the mixed 4×400m relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She also took first place in the women's 200m at the Netherlands National Championships held on the 26th. Photo by Kluver's Instagram

Since sports and photography can both be forms of art, Klaver argued that a scene featuring a female athlete’s body should not be automatically deemed inappropriate for that reason alone. Context—including composition, purpose, whether the moment conveys athletic performance, and whether the athlete might feel uncomfortable—should be considered together. She also referenced an incident in which a photo capturing a starting block and relay baton was deemed inappropriate simply because her buttocks were visible. "If the baton is at the height of my hips, I think it’s okay for that moment to be photographed," she explained.

Klaver’s remarks indicate that she is opposed to filming practices that portray female athletes as sexual objects unrelated to their performance, but also believes that normal competition images should not be excluded simply because they show parts of the athlete’s body. She stressed that, as in all aspects of life, people in track and field must treat each other with respect and behave sensibly, and emphasized that both athletes and those filming them should respect each other’s roles and intentions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.