A Corpus-based Study of Chinese Media Discourse: Reporting on Chinese Athletes at the Paris Olympics

Abstract

With the development of social politics, economy and culture, sports have become a momentous topic in China, especially in the context of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The performances of Chinese athletes during the Paris Olympic Games have received a lot of Chinese media coverage, which has huge positive effects all over the world. In an era where readers increasingly rely on diverse media platforms for news, there is a prevalent belief that news discourse faithfully records events and provides unbiased information. However, this is not always the case. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), a key theory in discourse research, focuses on analyzing news discourse to uncover underlying ideologies and power dynamics. Based upon the theoretical framework of Fairclough’s three-dimensional model, the thesis conducts a critical discourse analysis of 119 news reports on the performances and successes of Chinese athletes at the Paris Olympic Games. These articles were sourced from Chinese authoritative English-newspaper media outlets such as China Daily and Xinhua News Agency. The study aims to examine how Chinese media constructs the image of Chinese athletes and tells China’s sports stories. Through the analysis, it was found that the media coverage prominently emphasized collectivism and the rising role of female power. On the reports highlighted collective achievements, prioritizing team success over individual accomplishments. In addition, the increased visibility and recognition of female athletes reflected a growing focus on gender equality and female power in Chinese society. This study reveals how sport-related news reports in China employ language strategies to construct a positive national image that reinforces China’s rising stature on the global sports stage. At the same time, these narratives challenge traditional gender norms by celebrating the resilience and achievements of female athletes. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how media discourse shapes national identity, gender representation, and public perception of Chinese sports in contemporary China, providing valuable insights into how China’s sports narratives can be better communicated to the world.