Amy Hunt Hits Back at Sydney Sweeney Ad Over Women in Sport
British sprinter Amy Hunt speaks out against a controversial sports ad featuring Sydney Sweeney after running a season's best 22.10 seconds in Budapest.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Amy Hunt criticizes Sydney Sweeney advertising campaign
- Controversy surrounds the sexualization of female athletes
- Global athletes share training and competition videos
- Olympic champions join the widespread online backlash
A major backlash has erupted across the global sports community following a viral advertisement starring American actress Sydney Sweeney. The controversial commercial features Sweeney naked while using various pieces of sports equipment to cover parts of her body, sparking widespread criticism from female athletes who argue it reduces sportswomen to their physical appearance rather than celebrating their athletic achievements.
British sprinter and four-time European champion Amy Hunt became one of the most prominent voices to speak out against the ad. Her remarks came shortly after she clocked a season's best of 22.10 seconds to finish fourth in the 200m final at the Ultimate Championship held in Budapest on Sunday.
Following her post-race interview with BBC Sport, Hunt used her platform to deliver a clear message about the true representation and physical reality of women competing at elite levels of athletics.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like!"
The controversy has since prompted numerous other athletes from various sporting disciplines to post videos of themselves training and competing. These athletes shared personal accounts of the struggles, frustrations, and immense dedication required throughout their professional careers.
This ongoing dialogue highlights a broader cultural shift in modern athletics, where prominent female competitors actively challenge outdated tropes and demand that society evaluate them based on their professional dedication, training hours, and competitive performance rather than commercialized beauty standards.
Australia's four-time Olympic swimming champion Ariarne Titmus joined the chorus of criticism, stating that the ad feels like a direct insult to every woman dedicated to perfecting her craft. They were joined by British Olympic champion cyclist Sophie Capewell MBE, rugby players Lisa Neumann and Ellie Boatman, and Australian water polo Olympian Tilly Kearns, who all shared their own stories in response to the controversy.
Source: BBC Sport
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