Sweeney ad a barrier for girls in sport, sprinter Hunt says
British sprinter Amy Hunt has criticized a sports betting advertisement featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, arguing it creates a barrier for girls in sports by focusing on appearance rather than athletic capability. Hunt emphasizes that female athletes should be defined by their performance, not their looks, amid concerns about high dropout rates for girls in sports.
Why it matters
The discourse highlights ongoing tensions regarding the sexualization of women in media and its potential impact on youth participation in athletics.
Figure caption, 'Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like!' - Hunt on controversial ad
British sprinter Amy Hunt says she is concerned about the controversial advert starring Sydney Sweeney being part of a "barrier" to girls' participation in sport.
The advert for a sports betting company features the American actress naked but covering parts of her body with various pieces of sporting equipment.
After running a season's best 22.10 seconds in the 200m final at the Ultimate Championship in Budapest on Sunday, Hunt said: "This is what women in sport look like."
Hunt, 24, is among several female athletes who have spoken out against the advert's messaging.
"When we're trying to provide role models for young people and young women in sport, we really want to show that it's about what your body can do, not so much what it looks like," Hunt told Good Morning Britain.
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