A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book

‘Dare to Shine’: Megan Rapinoe as the Rebellious Star of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019




AuthorsTurtiainen Riikka

EditorsKate Dashper

Publishing placeBingley

Publication year2021

Book title Sport, Gender and Mega-Events

Series titleEmerald Studies in Sport and Gender

First page 133

Last page148

ISBN978-1-83982-937-6

eISBN978-1-83982-936-9

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83982-936-920211013

Web address https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/doi/10.1108/9781839829369

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/67777854


Abstract

In 2019, FIFA Women's World Cup turned into a mega event with enormous viewing figures. The U.S. player Megan Rapinoe became a star of the tournament on and off the field. Her controversial presence as an outspoken athlete-activist gained attention worldwide. In this chapter I examine her representations in social and mainstream media during the World Cup. In context of social media I focus on her Instagram posts and ephemeral stories with ethnographic observation and field notes. I utilize feminist thematic analysis of female athletes’ self-representation strategies on social media. The key concepts emphasizing neoliberal post-feminism here are self-love, self-disclosure and self-empowerment. (Toffoletti & Thorpe 2018.) As a result, I argue that the time is finally right for the new kind of recognition of women’s football and therefore need for a rebellious female athlete who takes advantage of this opportunity to raise awareness of equality among (sports) people.


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Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 22:56