Elite athletes or superstars? Media representation of para-athletes at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

Gayle  McPherson; Hugh O'Donnell; David McGillivray; Laura  Misener

doi:10.1080/09687599.2016.1197823

Elite athletes or superstars? Media representation of para-athletes at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

Gayle McPherson, Hugh O'Donnell, David McGillivray, Laura Misener

Media and Journalism

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

179 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This article offers a discourse analysis of media representations of paraathletes
before, during and post the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth
Games in print and online sources, drawing on the lens of critical
disability theory. We consider the importance of the media–sport
cultural complex in influencing public attitudes towards disability.
We conclude that whilst the importance of discursive change cannot
be underestimated at the level of the media agenda, change at the
level of lived experience will only flow from carefully designed and
executed political and policy initiatives rather than directly from
changes in the media presentation or visibility of individual athletes.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	659-675
Number of pages	17
Journal	Disability and Society
Volume	31
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2016.1197823
Publication status	Published - 27 May 2016

Keywords

Commonwealth Games
Para-sport
disability
media
mega-events

Documents and Links

10.1080/09687599.2016.1197823

O'Donnell, H et al (2016) Disability and Society journal article
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Disability and Society on 18/07/2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/09687599.2016.1197823
Accepted author manuscript, 216 KB

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Cite this

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