Gu Jianlin a Chinese-American woman athlete made the decision to represent China, her mother's country, despite growing up in the United States. Her decision surprised many Americans, especially because it was a time of tension between the two countries. Many people even labeled her a traitor. The choice to represent her mother's country was an unpopular one, and society treated her differently than if she had remained in the United States.
Feminism
This study examines the use of feminist ideologies in women’s athletic advertising. Although the sample is very small, it may provide insight about the female athlete audience and the role that feminism plays in marketing athletic products. It may inspire further research. Nonetheless, a larger sample size might yield more robust conclusions. Additional research could help us understand the relationship of feminism to athletic values.
Size
Reports about the size of Asian female athletes are often focused on their beauty and strength. 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, a Chinese-born athlete who fell during the team event, is one recent example. Zhu gave her American citizenship and competed for China. She "stole” the place from a Chinese athlete.
Color
There is a complex history behind the Asian-American female athlete's color in sports. Despite the fact that most American female athletes are white, some Asian women have excelled in sports. Chinese athletes have been the most well-known and successful in non-Asia sports. There are many Asian women who, despite their drive and talent, have not been fortunate.
Status
Asian female athletes are increasingly visible and prominent. They have won medals at Olympic games and international competitions. 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
It has been a long tradition of stereotyping race in competitive sports. Asian athletes have been stereotyped as weak, fragile, and unfit to participate in modern sports. Despite this, Asian women have become well known in the athletic arena and are increasingly being covered in news stories. Many stories focus on psychological characteristics and physical strength of the athletes.