Role Model or Quitter? Social Media’s Response to Simone Biles at Tokyo 2020

in International Journal of Sport Communication

Click name to view affiliation

Steph DoehlerSchool of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Search for other papers by Steph Doehler in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6164-2133*
Restricted access

During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Team USA athlete Simone Biles withdrew from several gymnastics events midcompetition, citing mental health issues. Biles, one of the most recognizable stars of the Games, faced intense scrutiny from both the world’s media and the general public in the immediate aftermath. The purpose of this study was to analyze the Facebook narrative surrounding Biles’s withdrawal within the theoretical context of framing, as crafted through user comments on various public high-profile Facebook pages. A total of 87,714 user comments were collected and analyzed using the qualitative software Leximancer. The themes emerging from the data suggested a polarizing narrative, with many users supporting Biles, engaging in the wider discussion surrounding athlete mental health, while others condemned her action, suggesting she quit on the biggest sporting stage.

  • Collapse
  • Expand
  • Allison, R., Pegoraro, A., Frederick, E., & Thompson, A. (2020). When women athletes transgress: An exploratory study of image repair and social media response. Sport in Society, 23(6), 10231041. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2019.1580266

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Angus, D., Rintel, S., & Wiles, J. (2013). Making sense of big text: A visual-first approach for analysing text data using Leximancer and Discursis. International Journal of Social Research, 16(3), 261267. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2013.774186

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Armour, N. (2020, January 21). Opinion: Simone Biles follows Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt as Olympic icons. USA Today. https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/nancy-armour/2020/01/21/simone-Biles-fills-void-michael-phelps-usain-bolt/4531563002/

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Barry, C., & McGinty, E. (2014). Stigma and public support for parity and government spending on mental health: A 2013 national opinion survey. Psychiatric Services, 65(10), 12651268. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201300550

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bauman, N. (2016). The stigma of mental health in athletes: Are mental toughness and mental health seen as contradictory in elite sport? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(3), 135136. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-095570

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bell, T., & Coche, R. (2020). “Victory on their own terms”: American front-page framing of the USWNT repeat World Cup championship. Journalism Practice, 16(6), 11341149. https://doi.org/10.1080/17512786.2020.1827451

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bell, T., & Hartman, K. (2018). Stealing thunder through social media: The framing of Maria Sharapova’s drug suspension. International Journal of Sport Communication, 11(3), 369388. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2018-0079

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Biles, S. (2021, July 26). It wasn’t an easy day or my best but I got through it. I truly do feel like I have… . Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/CRxsq_kBZrP/

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Billings, A., Burch, L., & Zimmerman, M. (2014). Fragments of us, fragments of them: Social media, nationality and US perceptions of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Soccer & Society, 15(5–6), 726744. https://doi.org/10.1080/14660970.2014.963307

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Blaszka, M., Frederick, E., Newman, T., & Pegoraro, A. (2016). Was dissent being displayed during the Sochi Olympics? Examining the #Sochi2014 hashtag for dissent. Global Sport Business Association Journal, 4(1), 113.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Braidwood, J. (2021, July 29). Simone Biles: How many medals has team USA gymnast won? The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/simone-biles-how-many-medals-tokyo-b1892641.html

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bregman, S. (2021, October 13). Exclusive! Simone Biles on sparking mental health conversation: “We’re going through it together.” Olympics.com. https://olympics.com/en/news/simone-biles-exclusive-mental-health-advice-future

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bronstein, C. (2005). Representing the third wave: Mainstream print media framing of a new feminist movement. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 82(4), 783803. https://doi.org/10.1177/107769900508200403

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Burch, L., Frederick, E., & Pegoraro, A. (2015). Kissing in the carnage: An examination of framing on Twitter during the Vancouver riots. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 59(3), 399415. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2015.1054999

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Carayol, T. (2021, July 28). Simone Biles’ twisties: Mental block which puts gymnasts at serious risk. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jul/28/simone-biles-twisties-the-mental-block-which-puts-gymnasts-at-serious-risk

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cassilo, D. (2020). Royce White, DeMar DeRozan and media framing of mental health in the NBA. Communication & Sport, 10(1), 97123. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167479520933548

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cassilo, D. (2022). Media framing and athlete mental health. In J. Sanderson & M. Weathers (Eds.), Health communication and sport: Connections, applications, and opportunities (pp. 114). Lexington Books.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cassilo, D., & Kluch, Y. (2021). Mental health, college athletics, and the media framing of D. J. Carton’s announcement to step away from his team. Communication & Sport. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/21674795211041019

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Clavio, G. (2013). Emerging social media and applications in sport. In P. M. Pedersen (Ed.), Routledge handbook for sport communication (pp. 259267). Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Conley, D.L., & Baum, M.J. (2022). Predictors of structural stigma in state mental health legislation during the Trump administration. Social Work in Mental Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2022.2062272

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Corrigan, P. (2004). How stigma interferes with mental health care. American Psychologist, 59(7), 614625. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.59.7.614

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Dashper, K. (2018). Smiling assassins, brides-to-be and super mums: The importance of gender and celebrity in media framing of female athletes at the 2016 Olympic Games. Sport in Society, 21(11), 17391757. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2017.1409729

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Dekker, R. (2016). Frame ambiguity in policy controversies: Critical frame analysis of migrant integration policies in Antwerp and Rotterdam. Critical Policy Studies, 11(2), 127145. https://doi.org/10.1080/19460171.2016.1147365

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Doehler, S. (2021). Taking the star-spangled knee: The media framing of Colin Kaepernick. Sport in Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2021.1970138

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Eagleman, A. (2011). Stereotypes of race and nationality: A qualitative analysis of sport magazine coverage of MLB Players. Journal of Sport Management, 25(2), 156168. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.25.2.156

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Entman, R. (2007). Framing bias: Media in the distribution of power. Journal of Communication, 57(1), 163173. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2006.00336.x

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Fieldstadt, E. (2021, August 3). Simone Biles says Tokyo bronze means more than all her golds. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/olympics/simone-biles-says-tokyo-bronze-means-more-all-her-golds-n1275804

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Frederick, E., Lim, C., Clavio, G., & Walsh, P. (2012). Why we follow: An examination of parasocial interaction and fan motivations for following athlete archetypes on Twitter. International Journal of Sport Communication, 5(4), 481502. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.5.4.481

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Frederick, E., Pegoraro, A., & Burch, L. (2016). Echo or organic: Framing the 2014 Sochi Games. Online Information Review, 40(6), 798813. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-02-2016-0038

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Frederick, E., Pegoraro, A., & Sanderson, J. (2018). Divided and united: Perceptions of athlete activism at the ESPYS. Sport in Society, 22(12), 19191936. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2018.1530220

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Frederick, E., Stocz, M., & Pegoraro, A. (2016). Prayers, punishment, and perception: An analysis of the response to the Tony Stewart-Kevin Ward Jr. incident on Facebook. Sport in Society, 19(10), 14601477. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2015.1133598

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Goffman, E. (1974). Frame analysis: An essay on the organization of experience. Harvard University Press.

  • Gutierrez, D., & Bettine, M. (2022). The international journalistic coverage of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games: Analysis by media framing. Sport in Society, 25(1), 181196. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2020.1777105

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Harrison, G., Pegoraro, A., Romney, M., & Hull, K. (2019). The “angry black woman”: How race, gender, and American politics influenced user discourse surrounding the Jemele Hill controversy. Howard Journal of Communications, 31(2), 137149. https://doi.org/10.1080/10646175.2019.1608483

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hayes, M., Ross, I., Gasher, M., Gutstein, D., Dunn, J., & Hackett, R. (2007). Telling stories: News media, health literacy and public policy in Canada. Social Science & Medicine, 64(9), 18421852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.01.015

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hill, J. (2021, July 29). Simone Biles’s critics don’t understand this generation of athletes. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/07/simone-biles-doesnt-need-to-look-invincible/619606/

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ho, G., & Bairner, A. (2013). One country, two systems, three flags: Imagining Olympic nationalism in Hong Kong and Macao. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 48(3), 349365. https://doi.org/10.1177/1012690212441160

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Horton, D., & Wohl, R. (1956). Mass communication and para-social interaction. Psychiatry, 19(3), 215229. https://doi.org/10.1080/00332747.1956.11023049

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Indulska, M., Hovorka, D., & Recker, J. (2012). Quantitative approaches to content analysis: Identifying conceptual drift across publication outlets. European Journal of Information Systems, 21(1), 4969. https://doi.org/10.1057/ejis.2011.37

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Jag, J. (2021, August 8). The big Olympic letdown: Simone Biles shined a light on mental health issues in Tokyo, but what happens afterward? The Salt Lake Tribute. https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2021/08/08/tokyo-olympians-wrap-up/

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kaier, E., Cromer, L., Johnson, M., Strunk, K., & Davis, J. (2015). Perceptions of mental illness stigma: Comparisons of athletes to nonathlete peers. Journal of College Student Development, 56(7), 735739. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2015.0079

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Karen, D., & Washington, R. (2010). General introduction: Sport the game and the field. In D. Karen& R. Washington (Eds.), The sport and society reader (pp. 112). Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kassing, J., & Sanderson, J. (2009). ‘You’re the kind of guy that we all want for a drinking buddy’: Expressions of parasocial interaction on Floydlandis. Com. Western Journal of Communication, 73(2), 182203. https://doi.org/10.1080/10570310902856063

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kassing, J., & Sanderson, J. (2010). Fan-athlete interaction and Twitter tweeting through the Giro: A case study. International Journal of Sport Communication, 3(1), 113128. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.3.1.113

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kassing, J., & Sanderson, J. (2015). Playing in the new media game or riding the virtual bench: Confirming and disconfirming membership in the community of sport. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 39(1), 318. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193723512458931

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kim, J., & Wanta, W. (2018). News framing of the U.S. immigration debate during election years: Focus on generic frames. The Communication Review, 21(2), 89115. https://doi.org/10.1080/10714421.2018.1479616

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Leitner, W. (2021, July 29). Why you shouldn’t praise Simone Biles for quitting Tokyo Olympics. Fox News Radio. https://foxsportsradio.iheart.com/featured/the-ben-maller-show/content/2021-07-29-why-you-shouldnt-praise-simone-biles-for-quitting-tokyo-olympics/

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lind, R., & Salo, C. (2006). The framing of feminists and feminism in news and public affairs programs in U.S. electronic media. Journal of Communication, 52(1), 211228. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2002.tb02540.x

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Love, J., & Maxwell, L. (2020). Serena Williams: From catsuit to controversy. International Journal of Sport Communication, 13(1), 2854. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2019-0111

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Macnamara, J. (2005). Media content analysis: Its use, benefits, and best practice methodology. Asia Pacific Public Relations Journal, 6(1), 134.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Maireder, A., & Ausserhofer, J. (2014). Political discourses on Twitter: Networking topics, objects, and people. In K. Weller, A. Bruns, J. Burgess, M. Mahrt, & C. Puschmann (Eds.), Twitter and society (pp. 305318). Peter Lang.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Martin, J. (2021, July 30). Simone Biles says she still has the ‘twisties’ and it’s impacting her on the 4 individual events. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/30/sport/simone-biles-olympics-twisties-spt/index.html

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Menon, A. (2021). Storylines to watch at the Tokyo Olympics: Who will be the next Phelps, Bolt? Can anyone beat Biles? ESPN. https://www.espn.co.uk/olympics/story/_/id/31842808/tokyo-olympics-2020-storylines-michael-phelps-usain-bolt-simone-biles

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Meraz, S., & Papacharissi, Z. (2013). Networked gatekeeping and networked framing on #Egypt. The International Journal of Press/Politics, 18(2), 138166. https://doi.org/10.1177/1940161212474472

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Morgan, A., & Wilk, V. (2021). Social media users’ crisis response: A lexical exploration of social media content in an international sport crisis. Public Relations Review, 47(4), Article 102057. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2021.102057

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Morgan, P. (2021, July 28). Sorry Simone Biles, but there’s nothing heroic or brave about quitting because you’re not having ‘fun’ — You let down your team-mates, your fans and your country. The Daily Mail. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9835069/PIERS-MORGAN-Sorry-Simone-boast-GOAT-selfishly-quit.html

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Munsch, C., Barnes, L., & Kline, Z. (2020). Who’s to blame? Partisanship, responsibility, and support for mental health treatment. Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World, 6(1), 112. https://doi.org/10.1177/2378023120921652

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Mental illness. ∼https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness#:∼:text=Mental%20illnesses%20are%20common%20in,mild%20to%20moderate%20to%20severe

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Nisbet, M. (2010). Knowledge into action: Framing the debates over climate change and poverty. In P. D’Angelo& J. Kuypers (Eds.), Doing frame analysis: Empirical and theoretical perspectives (pp. 4383). Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ozornina, N., & Mannin, A. (2020). Framing the image of Russia in the British media during the World Cup 2018. Russian Journal of Communication, 12(2), 121136. https://doi.org/10.1080/19409419.2020.1823563

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Paavola, J., Helo, T., Jalonen, H., Sartonen, M., & Huhtinen, A. (2016). Understanding the trolling phenomenon: The automated detection of bots and cyborgs in the social media. Journal of Information Warfare, 15(4), 100111.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Park, B., Park, S., & Billings, A. (2019). Separating perceptions of Kaepernick from perceptions of his protest: An analysis of athlete activism, endorsed brand, and media effects. Communication & Sport, 8(4–5), 629650. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167479519894691

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Parrott, S., Billings, A., Buzzelli, N., & Towery, N. (2021). “We all go through it”: Media depictions of mental illness disclosures from star athletes DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Love. Communication & Sport, 9(1), 3354. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167479519852605

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Parrott, S., Billings, A., Hakim, S., & Gentile, P. (2020). From #endthestigma to #realman: Stigma-challenging social media responses to NBA players’ mental health disclosures. Communication Reports, 33(3), 148160. https://doi.org/10.1080/08934215.2020.1811365

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Pegoraro, A., Comeau, G., & Frederick, E. (2018). #SheBelieves: The use of Instagram to frame the US women’s soccer team during #FIFAWWC. Sport in Society, 21(7), 10631077. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2017.1310198

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Pew Research Centre. (2020). Americans’ main sources for political news vary by party and age. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/04/01/americans-main-sources-for-political-news-vary-by-party-and-age/

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Pfister, G., & Gems, G. (2013). Fairy tales? Marion Jones, C. J. Hunter and the framing of doping in American newspapers. Sport in Society, 18(2), 136154. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2013.854443

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Rhoden, W. (2021, August 3). Simone Biles is an Olympic hero unlike any athlete we’ve ever seen. The Undefeated. https://andscape.com/features/simone-biles-is-an-olympic-hero-unlike-any-athlete-weve-ever-seen/

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Sanderson, J. (2008). “You are the type of person that children should look up to as a hero”: Parasocial interaction on 38pithces.com. International Journal of Sport Communication, 1(3), 337360. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.1.3.337

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Sanderson, J. (2010). Framing Tiger’s troubles: Comparing traditional and social media. International Journal of Sport Communication, 3(4), 438453. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.3.4.438

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Sanderson, J., & Cassilo, D. (2019). “I’m glad I played when the country still had gonads”: Pop Warner’s kickoff policy change and the framing of health and safety initiatives in football. Journal of Sports Media, 14(1–2), 122. https://doi.org/10.1353/jsm.2019.0002

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Sanderson, J., & Emmons, B. (2014). Extending and withholding forgiveness to Josh Hamilton. Communication & Sport, 2(1), 2447. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167479513482306

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Sanderson, J., & Truax, C. (2014). “I hate you man!”: Exploring maladaptive Parasocial interaction expressions to college athletes via Twitter. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 7, 333351.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Schmidt, S., Frederick, E., Pegoraro, A., & Spencer, T. (2019). An analysis of Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe, and the national anthem protests. Communication & Sport, 7(5), 653677. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167479518793625

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Shorty Awards. (2016). Bleacher Report: The social voices of sports. https://shortyawards.com/8th/social-first-publisher

  • Stavros, C., Meng, M., Westberg, K., & Farrelly, F. (2014). Understanding fan motivation for interacting on social media. Sport Management Review, 17(4), 455469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2013.11.004

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Utsler, M., & Epp, S. (2013). Image repair through TV: The strategies of McGwire, Rodriguez and Bonds. Journal of Sports Media, 8(1), 139161. https://doi.org/10.1353/jsm.2013.0002

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wallace, L., Wilson, J., & Miloch, K. (2011). Sporting Facebook: A content analysis of NCAA organizational sport pages and Big 12 conference athletic department pages. International Journal of Sport Communication, 4(4), 422444. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.4.4.422

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • The White House. (2022). President Biden announces recipients of the presidential medal of freedom. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/07/01/president-biden-announces-recipients-of-the-presidential-medal-of-freedom/

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wilk, V., Soutar, G., & Harrigan, P. (2017). Tackling social media data analysis: Comparing and contrasting QSR NVivo and Leximancer. Qualitative Market Research, 22(2), 94113. https://doi.org/10.1108/QMR-01-2017-0021

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Yang, E., Hayes, M., Chen, J., Riot, C., & Khoo-Lattimore, C. (2020). A social media analysis of the gendered representations of female and male athletes during the 2018 Commonwealth Games. International Journal of Sport Communication, 13(4), 670695. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2020-0045

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Zaharopoulos, T. (2007). The news framing of the 2004 Olympic Games. Mass Communication & Society, 10(2), 235249. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205430701265752

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 876 876 156
Full Text Views 45 45 17
PDF Downloads 60 60 23