Female sprinters complain about block cam in Doha
Two female sprinters complained about the use of the upward-facing block cam, and succeeded in having its use reduced
The very intimate close-ups of athletes in the starting blocks at the World Championships in Doha have not been universally well received by the athletes. The “block cams” that are now an integral part of the starting blocks shoot straight upward between the athletes’ legs–not exactly a flattering angle. Some female sprinters voiced their displeasure about the block cams and succeeded in getting their use reduced.
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There are two cameras on the starting blocks–one facing forward, which captures the athletes from behind as they explode out of the blocks, and one facing up. A BBC report claims that two German female sprinters competing in the 100m, Gina Lückenkemper and Tatjana Pinto, complained about the upward-facing cameras, saying they had not been consulted about their use.
Trailblazing technology will give sports fans a fresh view of the #WorldAthleticsChamps @IAAFDoha2019
A first look at the all-new @sports_seiko Block Cam ?
?: https://t.co/Fsp72a0MPk pic.twitter.com/r4u5XK7FM1
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) September 9, 2019
“I find it very unpleasant stepping over these cameras as I get into the blocks wearing these scanty clothes,” Lückenkemper is reported to have said.
On Sunday, officials agreed not to put these shots on the big screen in the stadium, and also agreed to erase the video content from the cameras each day. A report in the Sun says the IAAF agreed only to use images of faces.
The intention of the new cameras was to increase excitement by showing the athletes as close as possible in the seconds before the race start.
Lückenkemper and Pinto finished 20th and 18th in the 100m semifinal and did not advance.
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