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'This is what women in sport look like'
Confirmed
In Short: British cyclist Sophie Kramer leads a backlash against an advert featuring Sweeney in little to no clothing, highlighting the sexualisation of women in sport.
Kramer, a British cyclist and Olympic champion, told BBC World Service's Newshour show she "did not expect" the reaction to her post and "just wanted to uplift women and remind them that this is not the only thing that matters." The backlash has included many other athletes from a range of sports posting videos of themselves competing or training, and describing the frustrations and struggles they have faced throughout their careers.
In a world where it just feels like women's sport is being recognised for the talent and skill that it involves rather than the sexualisation of women, this new ad by @sydney_sweeney feels so out of touch, said Hockeyroos goalkeeper Joc Bartram, who was named goalkeeper of the tournament at the recent World Cup where the Hockeyroos finished fourth.
What's confirmed
- Kramer, a British cyclist and Olympic champion, told BBC World Service's Newshour show she "did not expect" the reaction to her post and "just wanted to uplift women and remind them that this is not the only thing that matters." The backlash has included many other athletes from a range of sports posting videos of themselves competing or training, and describing the frustrations and struggles they have faced throughout their careers.
- In a world where it just feels like women's sport is being recognised for the talent and skill that it involves rather than the sexualisation of women, this new ad by @sydney_sweeney feels so out of touch, said Hockeyroos goalkeeper Joc Bartram, who was named goalkeeper of the tournament at the recent World Cup where the Hockeyroos finished fourth.
What's still developing
- The advert has gone viral online and features American Sweeney naked but covering parts of her body with various pieces of sporting equipment.
- Kramer added: "Unfortunately being objectified pretty much my entire career, it made me feel strong enough to post about this and to stand up for the women that don't want to be objectified and don't want to be looped into this unfortunate narrative that's been pushed for a long time." Why is this Sydney Sweeney advert so controversial?
- "How do we live in a world where monetising a woman's body and sexualising women's sport is still a thing?" British cyclist and Olympic champion Sophie Capewell MBE, rugby players Lisa Neumann and Ellie Boatman and Australian water polo Olympian Tilly Kearns also shared their stories.
- "I think it's quite powerful, the amount of women who've come out and said something," Capewell told BBC Sport after her post gained attention.
- "It's not necessarily that people are upset with someone having autonomy, it's the fact that that seems to be the only narrative that is directed around women in sports, or that's what gets more popularity." England women's rugby player Alex Matthews said adverts like Sweeney's should not make young women believe there is a "one size fits all" body.
- The ad shows Sweeney in little to no clothing as she plays mock tennis, golf, baseball and ice hockey, holds basketballs, footballs and a soccer ball, and boasts about punters being able to bet on "just sports".
- Titmus's replacement as swimming's middle distance queen, Lani Pallister, also posted saying she had "truly no words", while Hockeyroos goalkeeper Joc Bartram said she was disappointed to see women's sport being sexualised.
- "I absolutely fking hate Sydney Sweeny's new sports ad," Kearns said.