Researcher(s)
- Miranda Protack, Visual Communications, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Ashley Pigford, Vissual Communications, University of Delaware
Abstract
A recurring gender bias in media coverage is seen in the continuous discussion surrounding the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) in sports, which often focuses on only male athletes. This study looks at how, in spite of historical achievements that are on par with or even greater than those of their male counterparts, women are routinely left out of this discussion. Three of the most prominent female athletes of our time, Serena Williams, Simone Biles, and Katie Ledecky, are the subject of this study, which is guided by the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, a historic moment for women in sports. The study makes the case for their legitimate inclusion in GOAT debates by closely examining their careers, performances, and media representation. Extensive research into sports journalism, media language, and Olympic coverage shows patterns of sexism and underrepresentation of female athletes. The outcome of this research is three posters, each highlighting the achievements of three female athletes in their respective sports. By examining patterns of exclusion while also highlighting the excellence of these athletes, the project challenges conventional narratives and offers a reframed perspective on women’s greatness in sports. In doing so, it not only honors their legacies but also calls for a critical reevaluation of how athletic achievement is defined and celebrated. This research contributes to a growing movement that seeks to add women to sports conversations, which they’ve long been excluded from.