The Paris Olympics are making strides toward gender equality in sports broadcasting, with the official broadcaster urging camera operators to adopt a fair approach when filming male and female athletes. This move aims to eradicate “stereotypes and sexism” in Olympic coverage, according to Yiannis Exarchos, CEO of Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS).

This year’s Games are historic, being the first in 128 years to achieve gender balance among competitors. Women’s sports are also featured more prominently in prime-time slots to enhance their visibility.

FOCUS ON THE ATHLETIC ABILITIES… NOT THE LOOK

Exarchos noted that OBS has updated its guidelines to address unconscious bias that has led to more frequent close-up shots of female athletes, focusing on their looks rather than their athletic abilities. “Women athletes are not here to be judged on their attractiveness,” Exarchos said. “They are here because they are elite athletes,” attributing the problem to unconscious bias rather than intentional sexism.

The Paris Games have also introduced several scheduling reforms to better spotlight women’s sports. For the first time, the women’s marathon will be the concluding event, taking the place of the men’s marathon. This change reflects a broader effort to rectify historical biases in event scheduling.

Marie Sallois, the International Olympic Committee’s director of gender equality, highlighted that the Paris Games are “the world’s largest platform to promote gender equality in and through sport.” The updated guidelines and event schedule changes represent a commitment to ensuring equal recognition and respect for women athletes.

Through these reforms, OBS and the International Olympic Committee aim to set a new precedent in sports coverage, celebrating athletic achievements while avoiding outdated stereotypes.