ABSTRACT
This chapter critically analyses mainstream media representations of womens boxing at the London 2012 Olympics in newspapers and TV broadcasts, and examines how female competitors were represented in terms of the linkages between gender and athleticism in the traditionally masculine space of the boxing ring. Womens boxing was included in the Summer Olympic Games for the first time at the London 2012 Olympics. Although feminisation meaning making female athletes act or appear more in keeping with socially constructed ideals of what is feminine features heavily in the boxing literature. The medias representation of womens boxing highlighted personal and professional triumph, and helped to legitimise the sport by not tolerating direct sexism, and by focusing attention on narratives of determination, peak performance and spectator excitement. Lindner argues that sports represent a context in which traditional notions of gender and gender relations are enforced. The medias relationship with female athletes remains contentious.
