Commons told naked Olympic water babes picture is 'exploitative'
This photograph of Britain’s Olympic water babes without their costumes has sparked criticism for what one MP claimed was the linking of funding for the country’s elite athletes with “exploitative” public relations photoshoots.
The picture features Plymothians 21-year-old Tonia Couch and 23-year-old Brooke Graddon among a dozen swimmers and divers.
But Labour’s Barbara Keeley said it was “inappropriate” for sponsors to put conditions on athletes which attached their funding to such campaigns.
In the Commons yesterday, Ms Keeley (Worsley and Eccles S) said: “I understand the National Lottery requires our elite athletes to do these sort of PR photoshoots as a condition of their funding.”
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She asked Commons Leader Sir George Young said he would raise the concerns with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
A Camelot spokesman said: "National Lottery-funded athletes, through UK Sport, commit up to one day per year to take part in media activity, such as an interview or a photo shoot, to help publicise how lottery funding benefits them and their sport.
"Any activity is always agreed in consultation with the athletes concerned and their National Governing Body.
"In this instance, the Daily Mail approached Camelot, as operator of The National Lottery, with a request to feature members of the British Swimming team in an iconic photo shoot.
"Camelot therefore approached British Swimming to see if any of their athletes would like to participate.
"The result was a creative and eye-catching image that has helped to raise both the profile of their sport and public awareness of how money raised by National Lottery players is helping British athletes in the run-up to London 2012. To date, National Lottery players have raised over £4bn for sport throughout the UK.”
Britain's Water Babes hope that who bares wins
Tom Daley and Tonia Couch return to Russia for World Series
Brooke Graddon returns to international duty
Tonia Couch counts injury cost of brave British gold medal bid
Comments
by Tony, Bluebell Wood
Friday, March 18 2011, 3:05PM
“Chris quote- "I've studied this picture for some time and my eyesight hasn't deteriorated one bit..on the other hand, I have strained my wrist considerably"
Yes mate that's why it's called a photoshoot”
by Tony, Bluebell Wood
Friday, March 18 2011, 3:01PM
“Surely somethings only 'exploitative' if people are forced to do it against their will?
The girls look happy enough to me so full marks to them for being good sports.
if any didn't want to do it they could have got out of the shoot easy enough by saying something "Sorry i've got a cold, can't make it"”
by Vinnie Garstroke, Plymouth
Friday, March 18 2011, 2:12PM
“Karen & Leandra
I'm white and British so I think it's only fair that I make myself avaialable to pose naked for you as long as you promise not to treat me a sex object.
I do warn you though that I'm very white.”
by Chris, Plymstock
Friday, March 18 2011, 1:00PM
“I've studied this picture for some time and my eyesight hasn't deteriorated one bit, which is remarkable when you think about it. On the other hand, I have strained my wrist considerably.”
by peter, liskeard
Friday, March 18 2011, 11:47AM
“Where the women forced to pose?”
by Dick Barton, Plymouth
Friday, March 18 2011, 11:45AM
“I¿ll put several flies in the ointment here. I don¿t consider myself to be PC and I¿m a male heterosexual but I find this sort of think exploitive and disgraceful. I¿m no prude but I feel there¿s a time and a place for everything. This obsession for taking your clothes off for charity or raising the profile of some cause is distasteful, unimaginative sleaze. If that¿s the best anyone can come up with then it¿s a poor show, playing to the base and the lowest common denominator. Before anyone says it¿s their decision to take their clothes off if they whish, I agree it is. But by the same token if you encourage leering unsavoury sexist comments or abuse then you only have your selves to blame. You can¿t flaunt it and shout sexist at the same time. Are we living in the 1970¿s? Sid James¿s character in the Carry On films would be laughing all the way to the knocking shop. As a popular comedian of our time said ¿We where looking up to women to help us (men) out of the gutter and what did you?¿ ¿You got down and laid in the gutter with us.¿ How true.”
by itsnojoke, Cloud cookooland
Friday, March 18 2011, 11:14AM
“Karen, how many men or non "white British" water babes are there to be photographed?”
by David, St Austell
Friday, March 18 2011, 10:11AM
“What a fuss about nothing. Have they no serious matters to discuss in Westminster?”
by Leandra, Plymouth
Friday, March 18 2011, 9:10AM
“You beat me to it Karen, yes where are the men and ethnic minorities”
by Karen, Keyham
Friday, March 18 2011, 9:07AM
“Okay.... since we are a nation committed to equal opportunities.... where are the naked men and why is everybody "White British"? Just asking... :D”