Arabic version: أولمبيون ينتقدون إعلان مراهنات لسيدني سويني

According to ABC News, Australian Olympians and other female athletes have criticised a hyper-sexualised sports betting advertisement featuring actor Sydney Sweeney, saying it belittles women in sport. The campaign shows Sweeney in little to no clothing while mock playing tennis, golf, baseball and ice hockey, and while holding basketballs, footballs and a soccer ball.

In the advertisement, Sweeney says punters can bet on “just sports” and repeats the word nine times. She is shown perched topless on a basketball hoop and later on a pool table, where she says: “You can’t trade this, I just look good here.” The ad has drawn particular criticism from athletes who said it undermines efforts to have women’s sport recognised for skill and achievement.

Four-time Olympic swimming gold medallist Ariarne Titmus called the advertisement “an absolute joke” in an Instagram post. She wrote that it was “a kick in the face” to women dedicated to their craft and questioned why monetising women’s bodies and sexualising women’s sport remained accepted. Titmus also wrote: “Sydney Sweeney, do better.”

Swimmer Lani Pallister said she had “truly no words”, while Hockeyroos goalkeeper Joc Bartram said the campaign felt “so out of touch”. Olympic boxer and WBC bantamweight champion Skye Nicolson said the backlash was giving the company “exactly what they wanted”, but added: “Stop sexualising women in sport.” In an apparent response, Sweeney posted Instagram stories featuring images from ESPN’s Body issue, including nude elite athletes.