Images from starting-block cameras at the World Athletics Championships in Qatar have been restricted following complaints from female competitors who said they showed “intimate areas.”
Cameras built straight into runners’ starting-blocks were intended to “provide innovative angles on the competition,” showing athletes’ last-minute preparations for the race.
However, female athletes competing in Doha didn’t share the enthusiasm over the newly-introduced technology stating that the cameras revealed a little bit more than they had intended to show.
German sprinters Tatjana Pinto and Gina Lückenkemper voiced criticism toward the close-up camera shots saying that they didn’t feel comfortable.
“I find it very unpleasant stepping over these cameras as I get into the blocks wearing these scanty clothes,” Lückenkemper said.
Representatives of the German Athletics Federation (DLV) contacted the IAAF to address the issue raised by their athletes.
Under a new compromise reached by both sides the IAAF will now restrict the use of images, showing just the moment when athletes are placing their feet into the blocks.