Bending the Rules

Abstract

Extensive qualitative research shows that, even at its best, media coverage of women athletes tends to be ambivalent, meaning that it juxtaposes positive descriptions and images with descriptions and images that undermine and trivialize women’s efforts and successes. However, researchers have rarely explored the implications of nationalism — in particular during global sports events — for coverage of women’s sport. This analysis of media coverage of Cathy Freeman during the Sydney 2000 Olympics points to an instance in which gender lost its place as the primary media framing device because of Freeman’s importance as a symbol of national reconciliation.