Gu Jianlin, an American-Chinese athlete, chose to represent China in the Olympic games despite having been raised in the United States. The decision was surprising to many Americans, particularly as it was during a period of tension between these two countries. Many even called her traitor. It was an unpopular decision that she made to represent her mother's nation. She was treated differently by society than if the United States had been her home.
Feminism
This study aims to explore the prevalence of feminist ideologies in women's athletic advertising. Although the sample size is small, it can provide some insights about the female athletic audience and the role of feminism in the marketing of athletic products. It might inspire additional research. But, a larger sample might produce more robust results. Further research could be done to examine the relationship between athletic values and feminism.
Size
Female Asian athletes are often portrayed as being large in news reports. They are also often praised for their physical strength and beauty. This commentary has been a consistent feature of Asian American Olympics coverage. Despite stereotypes, Asian Americans excel in many other sports.
Fragility
Asian American women are making their way to Rio, and have been scrutinized by national team members and fans. Zhu Yi is a recent example. She was mocked for her fall during the team event. Zhu, who gave up her American citizenship in order to compete for China, "stole” the spot from a Chinese-born runner.
Color
In sports, the color of female Asian athletes has a complicated history. Even though most Asian countries and the US have a majority of female athletes, there are some Asian-American women who have made great strides in sport. Chinese athletes have been the most well-known and successful in non-Asia sports. Despite their talent and drive, many Asian women have had a difficult time.
Status
Asian female athletes are becoming more visible and prominent, winning medals at international competitions and Olympic games. Many of them double up as role models or diplomats, speaking out against injustices in their professional and private lives. Vogue Singapore celebrates seven female athletes from Asia in this issue.
Race
There have been long-standing stereotypes about race, especially when it comes to competitive sports. Asian athletes are often portrayed as weak, fragile and unfit for modern sports. Despite this, Asian women have become well known in the athletic arena and are increasingly being covered in news stories. These stories often feature athletes' psychological and physical strengths.