Actress Sydney Sweeney has found herself at the center of a scandal after appearing in an advertisement for a bookmaker. In the video, she appears semi-nude while imitating various sports, drawing sharp criticism from female athletes, according to infohub.kz.
In the ad, Sweeney appears almost without clothing and mimics various sports while showcasing women's physical strength and beauty. However, athletes felt the ad's creators sexualized women's sports and focused attention on the body rather than athletic achievements.
Four-time Olympic swimming champion Ariarne Titmus reacted particularly strongly. She said such an approach to promoting women's sports should have been left in the past long ago.
"I can't describe how much this infuriates me. It's a slap in the face to every woman who has dedicated her life to perfecting her craft, and to every woman who loves sport for the teamwork, friendship, dedication, and unity," Titmus wrote.
British sprinter and four-time European champion Amy Hunt also addressed Sweeney after competing at the Ultimate Championships. After finishing fourth in the 200 meters, she said: "Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like."
Hunt also noted the result of race winner Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who ran the 200 meters in 21.47 seconds. According to the athlete, such results are built on muscle, hard work, blood, sweat, and tears.
Other athletes supported Hunt and Titmus, posting videos of training, competitions, and athletic achievements under the phrase "this is what a woman in sport looks like." Gymnasts, swimmers, track and field athletes, and others joined the initiative.
Earlier, Kursiv LifeStyle reported that actress Sydney Sweeney starred in a revealing ad for a sports betting company, becoming its partner and investor. She also helped develop the campaign's creative concept and personally traveled to Australia for the shoot.