Sydney Sweeney: Female Athletes Respond to Controversial Advert
BBC Sport explores the impact of a recent sports gambling advert featuring actress Sydney Sweeney.
Female Athletes Speak Out
The advert, which has gone viral, depicts Sweeney naked, partially covered in sporting equipment.
"Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like!" — Amy Hunt, four-time European champion, responded after her impressive 200m race performance. She highlighted the contrast between Sweeney’s image and the hard work and dedication of female athletes like herself.
A Growing Movement
The backlash against the advert has sparked a social media trend.
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Gracie Kramer, an American gymnast, started the movement by sharing a video of her training with the caption: "I don’t know what Sydney Sweeney was doing, but this is what women in sport look like."
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Many other athletes from diverse sports followed suit, sharing their own stories and experiences to challenge the objectification of women in sport.
The Impact and Reactions
"Not only is it a kick in the face to every woman… but every woman who enjoys sports for what it really is," said Ariarne Titmus, Australia’s four-time Olympic swimming champion, criticizing the advert.
The trend has been praised as a powerful way to promote body positivity and challenge societal expectations of women athletes.
