New guidelines have been released advising broadcasters on how to use more respectful camera angles when covering live female athletics events.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has worked with female athletes to develop the guidelines, which aims to avoid sexualising the action with unnecessary camera angles.

British Olympic bronze medallist Holly Bradshaw is among the athletes to advise the EBU. The pole vaulter says she has been sent abuse on social media and has seen inappropriate videos of herself online because of revealing camera angles during live coverage of her competitions.

“How our sport is displayed during live broadcast can be incredibly powerful, yet sometimes harmful to the women competing and the women [and] girls watching,” she said.

“I first-hand have received social media abuse and witnessed inappropriate videos online of myself and colleagues when slow-motion content of us competing is captured.

“Many athletes, myself included have been in competitive scenarios where they are more focused on the cameras instead of their own performance.

“On too many occasions cameras are zoomed in, showing super slow-motion action replays of athletes in undignified positions.”

Serbian Olympic long jumper Ivana Spanovic, who also gave advice to the EBU, said certain cameras not only cause discomfort during events but can have “serious long-term effects on an athlete’s mental health”.