Urdu Report Desk
Women athletes from around the world have spoken out against a controversial betting app advertisement featuring American actress Sydney Sweeney.
The advertisement, which has gone viral online, shows Sweeney appearing nude, although parts of her body are covered with various sports equipment.
Several female athletes have criticized the sexualized portrayal of women in sports, arguing that female athletes should be valued for their performance and achievements rather than their physical appearance.
Athletes Respond to the Advertisement
Four-time European champion Amy Hunt also referred to the advertisement after finishing fourth in the women’s 200-metre final at the Ultimate Championships in Budapest on Sunday. She recorded a season-best time of 22.10 seconds.
Sweeney, 29, is known for her role in the television series Euphoria and has appeared in films including Anyone but You and The Housemaid.
The Campaign Started by a Gymnast
The response from athletes across different sports began with American gymnast Gracie Kramer, who posted a video of her training and wrote, “I don’t know what Sydney Sweeney was doing, but this is what women in sports look like.”
Concerns Over the Sexualized Image of Women
Australian four-time Olympic swimming champion Ariarne Titmus said the advertisement was “an insult not only to every woman who has dedicated her life to perfecting her craft, but also to every woman who enjoys sport in its true form.”
She questioned how society could still allow women’s bodies to be used for financial gain while women’s sports continued to be presented in a sexualized manner.
Concerns About Body Image
England women’s rugby player Alex Matthews said advertisements like Sweeney’s should not make young women believe that there is only one acceptable body type.
Matthews, who represented Great Britain in rugby sevens at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, said one of the most inspiring aspects of being in the Olympic Village was seeing people of different ages, heights and body shapes competing at the highest level in their respective fields.
Sweeney’s Response
Sweeney has not directly commented on the criticism. However, she posted a series of photographs on social media showing other athletes posing nude or wearing limited clothing, apparently suggesting that the reaction to her advertisement reflected a double standard.
The images included ESPN covers featuring tennis star Serena Williams and MMA fighter and wrestler Ronda Rousey.
Male athletes featured in the posts included NFL player Myles Garrett and basketball player Karl-Anthony Towns.
