Amy Hunt has claimed Sydney Sweeney’s new advert could become a “barrier” for women’s sport.
Sweeney’s commercial with betting company Novig, featuring the actress wearing little to no clothing and covering herself with sports equipment, has sparked conversation and backlash.
Hunt already criticised the American after finishing fourth in the 200 metres at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, telling the camera: “It was incredible to be part of such an incredible race.
“Sydney Sweeney, this is what women’s sport looks like! Hard work, sweat, blood, tears. This is a beautiful evening.”
The sprinter reiterated her comments and feels Sweeney’s advert could negatively affect young girls in sport.
“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.
“I think when we see 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.
Amy Hunt has shared her concern with Sydney Sweeney’s advert
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PA/NOVIG
“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,” Hunt told ITV.
The sprinter feels women in sport should call out the advert for the negative impact she feels it has had.
Hunt feels Sweeney’s advert could negatively affect young girls
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PAShe said: “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.
“It’s actually kind of moved. It’s separated itself from the moment entirely, and it’s not anything personal against that actress.
“It’s more 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.”
Several other sports stars have called out the Sweeney advert, including Australian Olympic water polo player Matilda Kearns, who posted a montage of her team alongside the message: “I absolutely f****** hate Sydney Sweeney’s new sports ad.”
The sprinter feels women in sport should call out the advert
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PAShe added: “Like what are we doing… so much worse than I imagined too. Here’s some real women’s sports content.”
Former Olympic sprinter Hannah Williams also criticised the promotion and shared footage of athletes competing on the track.
She wrote: “Hey Sydney Sweeney, this is women in sports btw [by the way].
“The ad is such a disgrace for women in sports btw constantly trying to be respected in a male-dominated field.”