About

New Broadcasting Guidelines for Women's Athletics, also known as Female Sports Camera Filming Guide, refers to the release of a new set of guidelines by the European Broadcasting Union and European Athletics in 2026 on how to properly photograph and film women's sporting events without sexualizing the athletes.

The new guidelines were released in early June 2026 and went viral on X / Twitter in mid-July 2026. The guidelines inspired criticism on the platform from those who believed that the guidelines would harm men's interest in watching women's sports in general. It also inspired memes, including parodies of the guidelines. Many referenced the viral French pole vaulter bulge moment from the 2024 Summer Paris Olympics as well.

Origin

On June 8th, 2026, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and European Athletics released a new set of guidelines for respectfully filming women's athletics without sexualizing the athletes.^[1] The guidelines are titled "Raising the Bar" and are available as a PDF on the EBU website. The description on the EBU website reads:

How do you film a sportswoman so the footage honours her power and skill rather than undermining it? Raising the Bar sets out practical guidelines for respectful camera work in women's athletics, drawing on real broadcast examples and the first-hand experiences of Olympic competitors Holly Bradshaw, Ivana Španović and Blanka Vlašić. It shows how the angles that best capture technique and emotion are often the very same ones that treat athletes with dignity.

This is not a list of restrictions. Across high jump, pole vault, horizontal jumps and running events, the report demonstrates how the most compromising shots can be avoided with no loss of storytelling or visual quality. Whether you direct a major production or work with a small crew, it offers a clear, shared standard for broadcasters, directors, camera operators and the athletes they cover.

On July 13th, X^[2] / Twitter user @civ_enjoy posted screenshots from the guidelines, writing, "European Athletics have released new photography guidelines. It's a pity our sport is going from celebrating the athletic physique to hiding it," garnering over 12,000 likes in two days.

Spread

On July 14th, 2026, Dexerto^[3] reported on the guidelines and made a post on X^[4] about them, garnering over 75,000 likes and 5,700 reposts in a day.

The post inspired criticism and memes regarding the outlines. For example, on that day, X^[5] user @donutsforeyes posted, "With all due respect why not just give female athletes longer shorts," garnering over 219,000 likes and 9,500 reposts in a day.

Shortly after, X^[6] user @hayasaka_aryan posted, "You basically killed any interest in female sports," garnering over 20,000 likes in a day.

That night, X^[7] user @thedimitri posted two photos of female athletes, writing, "Never forget what they want to take from us," garnering over 21,000 likes in a day,

Also late on July 14th, 2026, the official White House X^[8] page (@WhiteHouse) posted a parody of the guidelines that ultimately ends with a joke about trans people in sports, garnering over 27,000 likes in a day.

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References