GENDER PERSPECTIVE IN REPORTS ON WOMEN ATHLETES IN RIO 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES

Objective: to identify reiteration trends or overcoming of gender inequalities in reports on female athletes published in Brazilian newspapers. Method: a documentary research based on reports published in the special report on Rio 2016 Olympic Games in two Brazilian newspapers of national circulation. 51 articles and 87 images were selected and submitted to thematic content analysis and processed in webQDA software. Results: four categories emerged from the empirical data: women’s representativeness in the Olympic Games; women on the champions platform; recognition of women from overcoming male performance; and violence against women gaining ground in sports’ agenda. Media coverage replicated socially constructed sexist patterns by portraying athletes from stereotyped female characteristics and revealed gender inequalities in describing situations of violence against athletes perpetrated by members of technical teams and supporters. Conclusion: despite the visibility given to the protagonism of athletes, there was the production and reproduction of gender stereotypes. Therefore, it is necessary to deconstruct and confront inequalities between men and women.