The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has just published a guide titled “Raising the Bar” in collaboration with European Athletics. Its goal: to establish clear standards for video coverage of women’s track and field and to put an end to framing practices that sexualize female athletes. This issue of production and imagery extends far beyond the realm of sports.
This initial observation is directly linked to the technical choices made behind the camera. Low-angle shots positioned below the athletes, close-up zooms on their bodies, and prolonged slow-motion sequences with no narrative or technical value: these are all stylistic choices that, according to the EBU, distract from the performance and produce jarring images. The report notes that these clips are then frequently repurposed and shared out of context online.
A guide that breaks things down step by step
The guide’s value lies in its highly practical approach. Rather than laying down rules, it reviews each discipline (high jump, pole vault, long jump, sprinting) and, for each camera position, distinguishes between “positive” and “negative” angles.
The principle that comes up on every page is simple: a wide shot of the final strides provides context for the commentator, aids technical analysis, and respects the athlete, whereas a close-up or slow-motion shot of the finish adds nothing while risking a degrading image. For example, the guide recommends cutting a slow-motion clip before the athlete lands on the mat, or avoiding cameras positioned below the level of the pool on the track, particularly during moments of fatigue.
The common thread, as expressed by the athletes themselves—such as Holly Bradshaw, Ivana Španović, and Blanka Vlašić—is simple: the angles that best showcase the technique and power of a movement are often also the most respectful.
Beyond the world of athletics, *Raising the Bar* is a thought-provoking read for anyone who handles a camera or a lens: it reminds us that a frame is never neutral, and that technical expertise and respect for the subject often go hand in hand.
The full document is available for free as a PDF on the EBU website.
