Whose National Team? Which Game? A Comparison of Television Coverage of the Canadian Women's, Men's and Sledge Hockey Games at Vancouver 2010

摘要: In Canada, there is a widespread belief that hockey reflects the nation, its history and people. Despite commercialization, globalization changes in Canadian mosaic, this notion retains remarkable endurance. It remains, words of Whitson Gruneau "a story Canadians tell themselves about what it means to be Canadian." (1) imagined community often thought best represented by 5 men on skates plus goalie. We choose word "men" here purposively. While nationalism unifying force, masks number divides inequities related social aspects such as gender, ethnicity, sexuality class. Not everyone can stand for especially mediated version. However, summer 2009, Hockey Canada held training camp where they brought three national teams (men's, women's sledge) together, an attempt at overtly emphasizing equality across programs. (2) Coming into 2010 Olympics Paralympics, explicitly set goal triple gold medal performance, including men's, sledge teams. president Bob Nicholson publicly announced anything less would considered disappointment. light these efforts, interesting question becomes how much was picked up media coverage Olympic Paralympic Games. This paper reports analysis television games involving teams, Paralympics view major international sports events tend invoke, similar pressures faced each any differences nature or quality speak notions which team matters most, who really gets country express identity. Hockey, Nationalism Identity expected outcome coming from just broadcaster during With hosting Games, we expect massive amounts telecasts, since scholar Andrew Billings puts it: "virtually every host nation defers various 'cheer-leading' tactics when mass-producing maximize ratings." (3) one form cheer-leading heavily promoting hockey, game. Arguments key part identity date back early 20th century. young struggling find collective symbols, provided common reference point. There vast popular literature stresses Canadian, "our game" integral being Canadian. circumscribed "core features" mythology follows: our game; expresses something distinctive have come terms with unique northern environment landscape; graphic expression "who are;" game's rough masculinity testament passion strength character; are better than anyone else world; National League pinnacle game--and prominent institution. (4) leaves out many--immigrants no prior attachment game, many women had little opportunity play until last two decades, could not did participate reasons economics, culture interest. (5) Such also obscure commercial game American connections. (6) problems absences, "hockey Canadian" promoted discourses covering tournaments …