The Olympics are approaching this summer and nationalism will have a heavy presence in the sports atmosphere. But why does this happen? I think it is because we view our national teams as representing national identity. For example, in America, our national attitude and identity is that we’re the best in the world, we’re No. 1, so we expect our athletes to be the best too. We also love a certain style of play from our athletes, or an “American Dream” type story behind our athletes that brings out a sense of nationalism. For example, American sports fans and media tend to fall in love with the blue-collar, hard-working player. It’s why we love sports films such as Rudy, and it’s the kind of identity that the 1980 US Olympic hockey team took on that made the country fall in love with them.
Not only is this kind of nationalism seen in just our country, but in others as well. In the Sports and Media Handbook, Andrew Tudor notes in the 2002 World Cup, the Argentina-England matchup, the media analysis criticized the style of play through nationalistic beliefs. Tudor writes:
“In the wake of defeat there was an ‘attempted rearticulation of Englishness; in the British press, revolving around a villain/hero contrast established between two players (Beckham and Owen) in which the latter was represented as incarnating the proper values of the English style. Meanwhile the Argentinean media continued to sustain the central mythology of the Argentinean style in a discourse where ‘the dominant tone was a combination of overflowing chauvinism and exalted emotion framed by the national flag as a dominant symbol.’ Embedded in these typifications, of course, are the familiar and longstanding Latin and Northern European stereotypes—unpredictable and temperamental creativity versus commitment and hard work” (226).
This brings me to the question, do Americans view and expect their athletes to play a certain way (a stereotypical American athlete)? And do American fans expect to win and be the best because we have a national identity of being the best in the world? It’ll be interesting to see what the headlines will be during the Olympics. But I get the feeling it’ll consist of high expectations and falling in love with the gutty, gritty, blue-collar athlete.
You brought up many interesting points about sports and national identity in America. In does seem that Americans value the hardworking, blue collar underdog athlete as opposed to the privileged and favored to win athlete. America is loves a feel good story about athletes finding success, it is why, as you said, we like "Miracle", "The Blindside" and "Invincible", the characters in these movies represent athletes that were not expected to succeed. Hard work and a lot of determination made these athletes succeed in their sport.
ReplyDeleteI think in the Olympics Americans expect our country and our athletes to be competitive and win because we are successful as a country. Our country is a dominant force and we expect our athletes to do the same. I think we do expect them to play a certain way, a way that includes playing fair and by the rules. It always seems in any sport event media loves to highlight the backstory of an athlete that has overcome some adversity to become successful. I think this contributes to Americans identifying with this type of athlete.
I have to say that when I watch the Olympics I am only watching to see what America is good at. It is interesting to watch other countries compete but if America does not win something I get a little bit upset so I am definitely guilty of expecting our athletes to excel! I think America is always in competition with other countries in order to remain the most powerful and dominant therefore
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised to see this ideology flood into our world of sports. I think a reason why I think American sports are special is because we do not treat our athletes as slaves in order to be good at something like China does. Our athletes are willing to devote their lives to the sport which means they not only have a passion but a special skill in which we admire.
I think that Americans like the blue collar athlete because that is what our country was built on and I do not see a problem with this. I think it is an inspiring way to look at sports especially when we are the underdog. I do not think America has THAT much of high expectations because we are so stubborn that when we lose at something or do not do that well we ignore the fact that we were not the greatest. However if we win, we will definitely celebrate.
John,
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Jess pretty much had to say. The fact is that America loves the under dog story. We also love being on top. I am a Yankee fan, and as a Yankee fan I expect great things every year from them. The same goes with the United States. The American Olympic teams are great for our country.
I also think what our country's atitude and morals are helps strentgthen our team and the athletes who compete in the olympics. Michael Phelps for example dedicates his life to Swimming. He isnt forced into doing it. He does it because he loves it and he wants to pursue his passion. That is what America stands for. Each one of at Quinnipiac are here because we have the choice to be. We can study whatever we want and pursue a career in whatever field we would like to. We arent forced into the gym at age 6 because we have a preffered body size or type. We make ourselves what we want and thats a great thing. Go America !
Through the course of history, books, movies, and news have told us that the American dream is the self made man. The self made man is the man that strikes out on his own, goes to a new land, and builds a successful life for himself through hard work, determination and resilience. It began as the westward movement of people in America, who sought to find success in farming. But, now the fulfillment of the American dream is slightly different. Out of the growth and change of what the self made man who has achieved the American dream is, came the professional athlete.
ReplyDeleteAmericans now view the successful professional athlete as the epitome of the American dream. The individuals who find success on their own and from their own hands are few and far between. Americans have fallen in love with the story of the self made man, and that is why there is so much adoration for athletes who have found success. Athletes are triumphant because of what they do physically. They have to train and practice for hours and hours in order to win. It is up to the individual athlete to do the work to be successful, just as it was for the original self made man.
Because this image of the self made man has become so intertwined with the national identity of Americans, it is why we look for these types of stories in our athletes. Americans like the naturally talented athlete, but they love the athlete that has to work hard. In general, Americans want their athletes to have to overcome some disadvantage to find success because it carries the message that anybody who finds themselves at a disadvantage in life can find success through dedication and hard work. These types of underdog athletes give hope to people beyond athletics. They continue to represent the hardworking self made man, and give faith to others who desire to be their own self made men and women.
I don’t believe that Americans expect their athletes to always win. But, I do think that most Americans expect their athletes to be at the top. Because of our love of the underdog, Americans understand that the underdog doesn’t always win, and have to accept that they won’t always win. But Americans do expect their athletes to be dedicated, hardworking, and humble.
I agree with John that the media instills in fans that there is a certain way to play as an American athlete. Through the game of basketball is where this is most evident. The media has portrayed American basketball as physical , more demanding and hard nosed. If you are a point guard you work on your ball-handling passing and shooting. If you are a taller player the American society expects to see your butt down at the post and getting rebounds. However in Europe this is contrary to American belief of the game. All skills are encouraged in the European style of play and it is why a lot of Europeans are having a major impact in the NBA. That is why you see the likes of Dirk Nowitzki playing from the perimeter doing things that Americans find amazing because he shouldn't be doing that. However, one recent player that is trying to change the way we look at American basketball players is Kevin Love. Loves game is oriented on rebounding and shooting three pointers. This is highly unconventional for the power forward position. Not often will you see Love posting up and doing "American" big man moves.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we certainly expect strong character in American athletes in addition to quality performances. We are mystified by athletes who do sensational things in the arena but that alone doesn't cut it. Look no further than Lebron James to see this phenomenon in action. For being the best player in the NBA, he really doesn't have that many fans. That's because he is incredibly egotistical. Who else has ever annointed themselves as a 'king' without ever winning a championship? The man hosted his own TV special just to spit in his hometown fans' faces. Lebron is great for highlight reels. Casual sports fans like myself delight in seeing his feats, but people aren't fans of him because he doesn't embody American ideals. He hasn't worked for and earned anything in his career. We don't believe in kings in America.
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