ABSTRACT

Research question

In 2019, women’s sport was reported as being on the rise. Increased participation rates, media coverage, investment and support were evident. Following the spread of COVID-19 across the globe, which halted most forms of competitive sport, there were repeated concerns about the future of women’s sport. This research aims to document elite sportswomen’s perceptions of the state of women’s sport pre-COVID-19 and the possible impact moving forwards.

Research methods

Ninety five responses from an online, anonymous, qualitative questionnaire completed by elite sportswomen mainly based, in the UK, on the impact of COVID-19 on women’s sport were collected. Data were subject to a thematic analysis, to determine key concerns, and the frequency data of responses were quantitatively recorded.

Results and findings

Most sportswomen felt that women’s sport was on an upward trajectory, but many juxtaposed that against inequality compared to men’s sport in terms of media coverage and finance. There were concerns that the subordinate position women’s sport, with less resources and support, will have severe implications post-COVID-19. However, there were considerations that a pause in sport would allow for personal development, increased participation upon sports return and space for a reconfiguration of sport.

Implications

Those involved in sport are encouraged to think more critically about progress narratives in women’s sport. We caution that these hide perpetual, structural and symbolic inequalities and propose that they are positioned more coherently within wider gender equity agenda. This is a process that will require widespread cultural change.

中文翻译：

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一场失败的战斗？COVID-19前后的女子运动

摘要

研究问题

2019 年，据报道女子运动呈上升趋势。参与率、媒体报道、投资和支持的增加是显而易见的。随着 COVID-19 在全球范围内的传播，大多数形式的竞技运动停止了，人们对女子运动的未来一再担忧。这项研究旨在记录精英女运动员对 COVID-19 之前的女子运动状况的看法以及未来可能产生的影响。

研究方法

收集了来自英国精英女运动员完成的在线匿名定性问卷的 95 份答复，主要基于 COVID-19 对女子运动的影响。对数据进行专题分析，以确定关键问题，并定量记录响应频率数据。

结果和发现

大多数女运动员认为女子运动正处于上升轨道，但许多女性认为，与男子运动相比，在媒体报道和财务方面存在不平等。有人担心，在资源和支持较少的情况下，处于从属地位的女子运动将在 COVID-19 之后产生严重影响。然而，有人认为暂停体育运动将有助于个人发展，增加体育运动回归后的参与度，并为体育运动的重新配置留出空间。

影响

鼓励那些参与体育运动的人更批判性地思考女子运动的进步故事。我们警告说，这些隐藏了永久性的、结构性的和象征性的不平等，并建议将它们置于更广泛的性别平等议程中。这是一个需要广泛的文化变革的过程。