Lena Oberdorf, the talented midfielder for FC Bayern München and the German national team, has recently opened up about two pressing issues affecting female soccer players: voyeurism at matches and the rise of AI-generated videos depicting women athletes inappropriately. During her candid discussion on the podcast Popcorn und Panenka, co-hosted with Rena Schwabl, the 23-year-old athlete shed light on the uncomfortable experiences female players endure.
Oberdorf’s revelations began with her response to why women seem to recover from fouls—or get back on their feet—more quickly than their male counterparts. "Weil dann ganz viele Leute ranzoomen, wenn man liegt," she explained, highlighting the unsettling reality of fans honing their cameras on female athletes during vulnerable moments. Recalling her time at VfL Wolfsburg from 2020 to 2024, she shared, "Ich hatte mal ein Video, da saß ein Typ auf der Tribüne, der mit seinem Handy rangezoomt hat, als sich die Girls gedehnt haben," clearly distressed by the memory.
These experiences have left their mark on Oberdorf, who admitted to feeling uncomfortable at times during matches. "Ich denke mir manchmal, wenn ich auf dem Boden liege: Das ist eine unvorteilhafte Position," she said. Despite this, she argued the immediate concern is the spirit of competition: "Ich glaube, wir liegen nicht so viel auf dem Boden, weil wir weiterspielen wollen," signaling the athletes' determination to focus on the game, not their discomfort.
Transitioning from the physical field to the digital arena, Oberdorf expressed alarm over the content circulating on social media. “Wenn ich nach dem Spiel auf TikTok gehe, dann sehe ich hundert Edits. Wenn ich mein Shirt hoch mache, um mir Schweiß abzuwischen, entstehen daraus fünf Edits mit sexy Musik unterlegt. Da denke ich mir: 'Puh, weiß ich nicht,'" she confessed. This digital manipulation raises serious concerns about the exploitation of female athletes, casting them as mere objects for entertainment.
Oberdorf’s distress takes on another layer with the advent of artificial intelligence. Discussing the rise of AI-generated videos, she recalled unsettling experiences: “KI ist schlimm und sieht sehr echt aus. Bitte hört damit auf,” emphasizing her alarm over AI’s role in producing these fictitious portrayals, including one where she was depicted kissing her fellow national team player Jule Brand. "Ich hatte ein KI-Video auf meiner Seite, wo ich Jule küsse – und ich denke, es reicht," she remarked, putting forth a powerful appeal against the misuse of technology to distort reality.
The conversation struck at the heart of women's sports and the challenges athletes face beyond their physical prowess and competitive spirit. Oberdorf does not only navigate the fields; she also contends with the attitudes of the audience and the pressures of public perception, both on and off the field. She acknowledged the harsh reality of confronting overzealous fans and the impact of digital culture without reserve.
Oberdorf’s stance offers more than just frustration; it calls on society to be mindful and respectful. Female athletes deserve support and recognition for their talent and efforts, not to be reduced to manipulated caricatures or targets of voyeurism. It signifies the shift required to preserve the dignity of women playing at the highest level.
Technology can be both helpful and harmful, as Oberdorf's story points out. Alongside the joys of sharing moments of athletic excellence, there is the darker side of misrepresentation and objectification facing women athletes today. The discussions around voyeurism and AI-generated content are far from trivial; they strike at human dignity and the sharing of authentic experiences.
By bringing these concerns to the forefront, Lena Oberdorf highlights the urgent need for dialogue around media responsibility, respect for athletes, and the ethical use of technology. Only then can sports be enjoyed as the demonstrations of skill and competition they are meant to be, rather than becoming platforms for exploitation.