We Want to See Equitable Coverage This Olympics

Several cameras are set up on tripods, lined up side by side, focusing on an event. The well-lit indoor area with a blurred background suggests a professional media or press gathering, likely aimed at providing equitable coverage of a significant event like the Olympics.

WRITTEN BY:

Guest blog by Lauren Faust

Would you believe that women’s sports coverage has nearly tripled in the last five years alone? According to the Wasserman “From the Shadows to the Spotlight” report, this shift is largely due to a change in culture and an enhanced use of social media and streaming platforms; accessibility allows for a growth in interest. However, while an increase in coverage is certainly a positive development, this coverage unfortunately still lacks consistency. 

Most of the coverage of womens’ sports is of a specific player or team, and is typically broadcasted on less mainstream platforms. The recent Wasserman report reflects many of the findings of The Representation Project’s #RespectHerGame reports from summer 2021 and winter 2022, based on the respective Olympic games. The major findings of our reports show that women not only face disparate coverage in time, but also in kind. In our 2021 report, we found, “Women athletes are about ten times more likely to be visually objectified with a camera angle than men athletes (5.7% compared with 0.6%).” Further, “Women athletes are seven times more likely to be referred to using a gender diminutive (e.g., “girl”) than men athletes.” 

Despite vast improvements in the amount of coverage given to women in sports, the quality of said coverage is still often lacking when compared to men. The kind of coverage given to women athletes matters. By focusing on their emotions and infantilizing them, even an increase in coverage can be damaging to the perceived athleticism of these women. 

So you may be thinking, what can I do about this? Well, your responsibility lies in holding those with this power accountable. You can do this in a myriad of ways, especially with the 2024 summer Olympics quickly approaching. The greatest weapon that we have against ignorance is awareness and advocacy. Now that you’re aware of the statistical injustices in womens’ sports coverage, pay attention to the media you consume. 

How did your favorite sports analyst cover the NCAA women’s basketball championship game? How many women commentators do you notice when watching women’s sports? How are women athletes being referenced and spoken about by the sports coverage you watch? By holding ourselves and the creators of the media we consume accountable, we are helping to facilitate a world in which women and men receive not only equal, but equitable sports coverage. 

Take Action! Use #RespectHerGame to bring awareness to women’s sports coverage. Follow platforms like Togethxr and The Gist that are leading the way in fair coverage of women’s sports and athletes.