Pole vaulter Wilma Heltelä supports new guidelines against exploitative footage

Finnish pole vaulter Wilma Heltelä has spoken out against unauthorized YouTube compilations that use revealing camera angles and extreme slow-motion to zoom in on her intimate body parts during athletic performances. These videos, she stated, are "as inappropriate as possible."

Heltelä's comments come as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and European Athletics (EA) introduced new TV broadcasting recommendations in June. The goal of these guidelines is to prevent the use of exploitative camera angles in broadcasts of female athletes, thereby curbing the misuse of such footage online. Heltelä acknowledged that videos made about her are partly responsible for the impetus behind these new rules.

The new guidelines aim to shift the focus from viewing female athletes' bodies as mere objects of gaze to appreciating their strength and skill. The EBU and EA advocate for camera and editing choices that highlight women's power and technique, rather than solely their physical forms. Women's pole vaulting was specifically cited as an example, with a recommendation for wider shots and technical angles captured from the side, avoiding close-ups of the groin or buttocks.

Heltelä expressed her approval of the EBU and EA's directive. "It's good that TV images are viewed from a technical perspective. So, not just focusing on what is cut, but on what is added," she said. She noted that side-angle shots, favored by coaches and athletes for technical analysis, are too rarely used in pole vaulting. Heltelä also addressed comments about female athletes' competition attire being too revealing, stating that the athlete's choice of clothing, whether shorts or briefs, is not the issue; rather, it is the camera angles that can enable certain exploitative shots. She stressed the importance of athletes having control over their attire and ensuring that images are as appropriate as possible.

Fellow pole vaulter Elina Lampela also welcomed the new recommendations, calling them clear and positive. While she has only encountered unflattering camera work in isolated instances, Lampela believes the new guidelines are a good step. The EBU and EA's announcement featured British Olympic medalist Holly Bradshaw, highlighting the international nature of this concern within the sport.

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Urheilija saa valita lahkeellisen tai lahkeettoman housuvaihtoehdon sen mukaan, mikä hänestä itsestään tuntuu hyvältä. Oli päällä mitä vain, kamerakulmat voivat mahdollistaa tiettyjä juttuja. On hyvä saada vaikuttaa siihen, mitä pukee, mutta myös siihen, että kuvat ovat mahdollisimman asiallisia.