Innovative angle? ‘Intimate’ close-up camera shots restricted at IAAF World Championships after complaints from female athletes
Images from starting-block cameras at the World Athletics Championships in Qatar have been restricted following complaints from female competitors who said they showed “intimate areas.”
Cameras built straight into runners’ starting-blocks were intended to “provide innovative angles on the competition,” showing athletes’ last-minute preparations for the race.
However, female athletes competing in Doha didn’t share the enthusiasm over the newly-introduced technology stating that the cameras revealed a little bit more than they had intended to show.
Mondiaux Doha – l’angle des caméras sur les starting blocks est “inapproprié” selon des athlètes féminines https://t.co/30eQVsld3hpic.twitter.com/h8oKCEUOCI
— Matchs Actus (@matchActus) October 1, 2019
German sprinters Tatjana Pinto and Gina Lückenkemper voiced criticism toward the close-up camera shots saying that they didn’t feel comfortable.
“I find it very unpleasant stepping over these cameras as I get into the blocks wearing these scanty clothes,” Lückenkemper said.
Female track stars at the world athletics championship have told officials new vision being captured from the starting blocks is too invasive. https://t.co/t8W7XKTmlD
— nzherald (@nzherald) October 1, 2019
Representatives of the German Athletics Federation (DLV) contacted the IAAF to address the issue raised by their athletes.
Under a new compromise reached by both sides the IAAF will now restrict the use of images, showing just the moment when athletes are placing their feet into the blocks.
