Amy Hunt has warned that a controversial betting advert featuring actor Sydney Sweeney risks becoming a “barrier” to young girls wanting to take part in sport.
The Euphoria star sparked significant backlash from the female sporting community after appearing in a campaign for American gambling firm Novig, in which she wears little to no clothing while covered by sports equipment.
Hunt, who captured four gold medals at last month’s European Championships, had already responded directly by telling the Hollywood actress that “this is what women in sport look like” after finishing fourth in the 200m at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships on Sunday.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, the sprinter expressed concern over how such imagery might impact future athletes.
“I think 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 said.
Highlighting figures showing nearly two-thirds of girls abandon exercise in their early teens, Hunt stressed the importance of removing obstacles to participation.
“I think when we see the the stats of 64 per cent of young girls drop out of exercise and sport before they reach the age of 16, we don’t need to place any kind of barrier whatsoever in their way in terms of providing the opportunity and the empowerment for them to still exercise, whatever that looks like, professional or kind of just going to do a ParkRun with your friends.
“So it’s about empowering young girls and young women and young people to show that you really can just get out there and you don’t have to worry what you look like, you don’t have to worry about what you’re wearing.
“Sport, it’s not pretty, and I think that’s the thing to get to the level that we’re at.
“It’s shown to people that being aspirational and trying to be elite is something amazing, and you should really want to be the best version of yourself you can be.
“And that doesn’t always look attractive, and that doesn’t always look nice. Sometimes it looks like throwing up in the corner of the track, or I’ve had sessions this year where I’ve been crying afterwards.”
However, Hunt feels the positive response from female competitors speaking out has already surpassed any potential harm.
“I think the reaction has almost outweighed the moment because the first thing I saw was all of the positive compilations of women in sport,” she added.
“It’s actually kind of moved. It’s separated itself from from the moment entirely, and it’s not anything personal against that actress.
“It’s more the the kind of intention, and it’s just moved into a completely different spin now, where we’re able to kind of have all these different things celebrating women’s sport.”
