“Isn't He a Good Guy?”: Constructions of Whiteness in the 2006 Olympic Hockey Tournament

Abstract

Given sports’ valued cultural position, scholars argue that images of sports stars provide viewers with guidance about how “good” men should behave (Whannel, 2002). Drawing from cultural studies theories on race in sports, this study explores representations of White hockey players in the 2006 Winter Olympics television commentary. The authors suggest that the commentary provides lessons to viewers by way of the construction of the (White) hockey players as having exceptional physical bodies, intellectual aptitude, and moral righteousness. They further theorize about the intersection of heroism, morality, and privilege of Whiteness in the context of sports.

KEYTERMS:

• constructions of Whiteness
• cultural studies
• ideology
• race stereotypes