How are elite female athletes framed on China’s mainstream media: The case of Li Na

Abstract

Sport is a male-dominated field where female athletes are relatively marginalized. This article applies the theory of framing to explore how a high-profile female athlete --Li Na-- is trivialized by the coverage of China’s mainstream media. The analysis reveals that stereotypical feminine roles, individualism and collectivism, and nationalism are common aspects regularly emphasized by media to undermine Li Na’s athletic achievement.