Olympics and Human Rights

U.S. Media

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30 days

Summary

sources
63
Narrative Items
83
Bottom Line Up Front

63 sources in U.S. Media are amplifying 83 narrative items relating to the narrative of sports as a platform for social issues and personal stories. These narratives connect themes of athletic achievement, political expression, and societal challenges, highlighting how sports can reflect broader societal dynamics, including displacement, violence, and the quest for justice.

Reviewing a number of the most relevant narrative items indicates that media sources are portraying events surrounding the Olympic Games with varying levels of positivity, neutrality, and negativity depending on the specific focus. For instance, Deadline Hollywood highlights the closing of the Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival with a positive representation of Edwin Moses's achievements and the film's significance, utilizing engaging language that showcases national pride. In contrast, Just The News covers the stripping of Jordan Chiles’s bronze medal in a more negative light, emphasizing the contentiousness of the ruling but also noting the U.S. Olympic Committee's commitment to appeal, which adds a layer of hope amidst the disappointment. The language here is somewhat matter-of-fact but underscores the emotional impact of the decision.

On the subject of refugee participation in the Olympics, Counter Punch presents a more critical view, framing the situation against the backdrop of global displacement, thereby invoking a sense of urgency around social issues. This contrasts with more commercial takes, such as from Rest of World, which focuses on the operational aspects of esports and their economic implications, maintaining a neutral tone devoid of emotionally charged language.

Moreover, outlets like The Nation highlight the socio-economic implications of the Olympics, reflecting on the displacement of marginalized communities and framing it as part of a larger, troubling pattern tied to Olympic hosting, thus using emotive language to provoke concern. Meanwhile, Jezebel takes a more lighthearted approach, focusing on NBC's new coverage style during the Olympics, which presents the event in a celebratory manner, showcasing the positive reception of the changes.

Overall, there is a blend of reactions that range from celebratory to critical, illustrating how media narratives can shift based on focus, purpose, and underlying ideologies, resulting in both slanted and balanced reporting across different platforms.

About This Module

The U.S. Media module tracks a broad range of American media sources, including major television, cable, print, and online organizations.

Themes

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These adjacent themes are currently being amplified along with the main narrative
Olympic Transition from Paris to LA
As Paris concludes its vibrant 2024 Olympics, Los Angeles gears up to host the 2028 Games, facing the challenge of matching its predecessor's grandeur.
NGOs criticize FIFA
NGOs urge FIFA to suspend Israel, citing bias and hypocrisy in treatment of Israeli teams in international competitions.
Kerr's Leadership Reflection
Steve Kerr, reflecting on his past with the Bulls, highlights the necessity of leadership and speaking up in crucial times.
Taliban's Morality Enforcement
Since taking power in 2021, the Taliban has sought to control the public conduct of Afghans, especially women, but their enforcement of these rules has been inconsistent across the country.
Transphobic backlash against a female boxer
Algerian boxer Imane Kelif became a focal point of transphobic discourse following her quarterfinal fight, despite being a cisgender female athlete.
Olympic Medal Controversy
Jordan Chiles may lose her bronze medal due to a late appeal.

Sources

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These sources are generating the most narrative activity
WDIV Detroit
4% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Bangor Daily News
4% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Outkick
4% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Breitbart
2% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Florida Politics
2% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Foreign Policy
2% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
2% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
The Republic (Indiana)
2% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Counter Punch
2% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.
Jacobin
2% of the narratives in this brief were amplified by this source.

Entities

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These entities are mentioned most frequently in the narratives highlighted in this brief
People
Edwin Moses
Two-time Olympic champion in the 400-meter hurdles and subject of documentary 13 Steps.
Spike Lee
Acclaimed filmmaker and Morehouse graduate featured in the documentary about Edwin Moses.
Samuel L. Jackson
Renowned actor and Morehouse graduate appearing in the documentary 13 Steps.
Jordan Chiles
U.S. gymnast involved in legal controversy regarding her Olympic bronze medal.
Ana Barbosu
Romanian gymnast to whom Jordan Chiles' bronze medal was reallocated.
Manizha Talash
Olympic breakdancer disqualified for political statement, refugee from Afghanistan.
Rebecca Cheptegei
Ugandan Olympic marathoner murdered, raising awareness of violence against women.
UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
International organization advocating for women's rights and protection.
Events
Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival
Film festival featuring the closing documentary 13 Steps about Edwin Moses.
Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Upcoming Olympic Games that emphasize global displacement and political issues.
Olympic esports games
Inaugural esports event hosted in Saudi Arabia next year.
Paris 2024 torch lighting
Symbolic event related to the upcoming Olympic Games and global displacement.
Paris Olympic Games ticket sales
Record-breaking sales of Olympic tickets, reaching 9.7 million.
Technologies
Gold Zone
Streaming channel that showcased significant moments during the Olympic Games.
Wikipedia
Online platform requiring constant updates to maintain current information.
Organizations
International Gymnastics Federation
Governing body that promised to respect CAS's ruling on Jordan Chiles.
U.S. Olympic Committee
Committee pledging to appeal the ruling stripping Jordan Chiles of her medal.
Companies
NBC
Television network that retooled Olympic coverage, introducing Gold Zone.
Peacock
Streaming service that covered various Olympic events.

Top Items

These narrative items are the most relevant and/or the most amplified
Amplifiers:
Deadline Hollywood
deadline.com
Film About Track GOAT Edwin Moses, Who Used Physics To Outsmart Competition, To Close Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival
Film About Track GOAT Edwin Moses, Who Used Physics To Outsmart Competition, To Close Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival. Moses 13 Steps, a documentary about his life on and off the track, will close the 6th annual Morehouse. Moses is a two-time Olympic champion in the 400-meter hurdles. Fellow Morehouse grads Spike Lee and Samuel L. Jackson are among those who appear in the film.
Amplifiers:
Just The News
justthenews.com
Olympics strips U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles of bronze, U.S. Olympic Committee vows appeal
Court of Arbitration for Sport strips Jordan Chiles of bronze. U.S. Olympic Committee vows to appeal ruling. International Gymnastics Federation promises to respect the decision. Romania's Ana Barbosu reallocated the bronze to Chiles.
Amplifiers:
Counter Punch
counterpunch.org
The Olympic Refugee Teams was an Inspiration and a Tragedy
The idea of an Olympic refugee team first emerged in 2016, a year of sky high global displacement. Back then, 67 million people in the world were forcibly displaced. By the time the torch was lit in Paris 2024, that figure had soared to 107 million.
Amplifiers:
Rest of World
open.spotify.com
The Olympic esports games and Saudi Arabia
The inaugural Olympic esports games will be hosted in Saudi Arabia next year. The summer Olympics have come to a close in Paris, so we speak to the man behind the huge television operation there. From China to Mexico - how online shopping is changing the economics of restaurant food deliveries in a mega city. And what does it take to keep Wikipedia up-to-date?
Amplifiers:
The Nation
thenation.com
What Was the Paris Olympics?
The Olympic Games supercharge the problems that already exist in a host city. We saw that in Paris-but what will happen in LA? The Paris Games featured athletes who brought exquisite skill and joy to the competition, but also brought politics.
Amplifiers:
Jezebel
splinter.com
Why Did I Like The Olympics This Time?
Why was I drawn to this particular version of the Olympics when I more or less never have been before? One answer is NBCs and Peacocks complete retooling of its coverage. Gold Zone, the streaming channel that gleefully jumped around from event to event to show medals being won, was a revelation.
Amplifiers:
Vox
vox.com
Paris reminded us why we love the Olympics
Paris hosted an Olympic record 9.7 million tickets sold by the start of the Games. Parisians embraced Olympic fervor, cheering on the sporting exploits of Team France. But it was all of us, coming to see through these fantastic Games just how exciting, awe-inspiring international sport can be when it takes place in the right city.
Amplifiers:
Outkick
outkick.com
Olympic Breakdancer Disqualified For Wearing ‘Free Afghan Women’ Cape
Olympic Breakdancer Manizha Talash was disqualified for wearing a cape that said Free Afghan Women. The Olympics has a strict rule against political statements on the field of play. Talash fled Afghanistan after the Taliban regained control of the country and was granted asylum in Spain.
Amplifiers:
The Nation
thenation.com
The Paris Olympics Has Launched a War on the Poor
As Paris 2024 sporting spectacle crescendos this week, struggle continues outside the Olympic zone: a war on the poor. What weve witnessed in Paris is part of a larger, ignominious Olympic tradition: displacement of working-class and poor people to clear space for the Games.
Amplifiers:
Heavy
heavy.com
UNFPA Issues Strong Statement on Olympic Marathoner's Death
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) condemned the murder of Ugandan Olympic marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei, highlighting the global scourge of violence against women. Cheptegei was killed by her partner, emphasizing the prevalence of intimate partner violence and femicide. UNFPA calls for stronger action to protect women, including accessible support services, legal frameworks, and data collection to address this critical issue.

Context

The issues surrounding the Olympic Games, particularly in the context of the recent events in Paris and the upcoming Los Angeles Games, reflect broader social, economic, and political dynamics. Demographically, the global displacement crisis has reached alarming levels, with over 107 million people forcibly displaced, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian responses. The concept of an Olympic refugee team underscores the intersection of sports and global crises, as athletes from war-torn regions seek representation and hope.

Economically, hosting the Olympics often exacerbates existing inequalities, as seen in Paris, where the displacement of low-income residents to accommodate the Games raises concerns about gentrification and social justice. The influx of tourists and the sale of millions of tickets can boost local economies, but the long-term benefits for marginalized communities remain questionable.

Politically, the Olympics serve as a platform for athletes to express their identities and advocate for social issues, as demonstrated by the disqualification of Manizha Talash for her political statement. This reflects the ongoing tension between sports and political expression, particularly in authoritarian contexts.

Geographically, the selection of host cities like Paris and Los Angeles brings to light the challenges of urban planning and infrastructure, as cities must balance the demands of international events with the needs of their residents. National security concerns also arise, as large-scale events necessitate heightened security measures, which can lead to civil liberties debates.

Overall, the Olympic Games encapsulate a complex interplay of demographics, social issues, economic disparities, political expression, and national security, making them a focal point for examining contemporary global challenges.