‘Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like’: female athletes spark backlash against viral advert

American actor Sydney Sweeney is facing criticism from female athletes following her appearance in a promotional advertisement for the sports prediction platform Novig. The campaign, which features Sweeney with minimal clothing, has prompted accusations from Olympians and other sports figures that the imagery demeans and sexualizes women in the context of athletics.

British sprinter Amy Hunt is among those leading the public protest against the advertisement. Critics argue that the campaign misrepresents the reality of female athletes and undermines the integrity of women's sports by prioritizing sexualized aesthetics over athletic performance.