Colonialism, Racism & Representation: Indigenous Athletes in Media

This presentation analyzes the media portrayals of three prominent Indigenous Australian athletes: Cathy Freeman, Adam Goodes, and Ashleigh Barty. It examines how colonialism, racism, and representation are portrayed through media images and narratives associated with each athlete. The analysis of Cathy Freeman focuses on her 1994 Commonwealth Games victory and the controversy surrounding her Aboriginal flag display, highlighting the pride and challenges she faced. The section on Adam Goodes discusses the racism he endured during his AFL career, including the booing and lack of support from the league, which led to his early retirement. Finally, the analysis of Ashleigh Barty explores her surprising retirement from tennis at a young age and the public's reaction to her decision. The presentation uses specific images and media references to illustrate the different ways Indigenous athletes are represented and the impact of societal issues on their careers.

Assessment 2

Cathy Freeman
I watched Cathy Freeman win gold at the Sydney Olympics. That moment still inspires me today,
2020
The above picture is a portrait of Cathy Freeman who is an athlete winning gold in
Sydney. The country of Gadigal was treated as the home of Australia’s early civil rights actions.
This included the 1938 Day of Mourning conference and protest. The displayed place in the
above picture reminded the Aboriginal Australia which white Australia for which particular
considerations to media had largely controlled the national narrative which was not considered
fair or honest. The given image shows the evidence that was made by Freeman after winning
gold in 400m in Canada in the 1994 commonwealth games. The provided athlete was shredded
in the controversy due to which status of an athletic was also sometimes denied. The respective
individual athlete was born black which makes her born political also although it was never
aimed or desired by the respective individual.
The image shows the honour of carrying the Aboriginal flag after winning the gold in the
400m in Canada for the year 1994. The picture shows the strength of connection and pride for
which the given athlete had achieved and overcome challenges. The image displays a victory lap

from Cathy Freeman after winning the reward (I watched Cathy Freeman win gold at the Sydney
Olympics. That moment still inspires me today, 2020).
Adam Goodes
Adam Goodes rejects AFL’s Australian Football Hall of Fame offer, 2021
The above image shows the portrait of Adam Roy who is a former professional
Australian rules footballer who had played for the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football
League. The respective baller was one of the most famous individuals in his time, however,
faced constant booing from the crowd and a lack of support from the league which also led to his
early retirement from the game in 2015.
In the year 2013, Goodes called out a teenage Collingwood supporter after she called him
an “ape” during a match at the MCG. The respective baller became the target of the audience and
was constantly being abused which got worsened till the day of his final season as a player.
Adam Goodes was so humiliated by the abuses from the crowd that he didn’t even show his
presence in the traditional lap of honour that is reserved for retiring players. The image displays
a sense of pain behind the smile on the face of the baller who was being commented on physical
appearance. However, an apology letter was being issued by the league which was four years
after his retirement. The letter was about apologising to Adam with respect to their failure to call

out the racism and for not standing up with Adam which also let down other players from
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander that constitute past as well as present players (Adam
Goodes rejects AFL’s Australian Football Hall of Fame offer, 2021).
Ash Barty
Ashleigh Barty Says Decision to Retire Was 'Scary' But She'll 'Contribute' to Tennis 'in a
Different Way', 2022
The given image displays the portrait of Ashleigh Barty who is also an Australian retired
professional tennis player and a cricketer. She was a great athlete who was also the second
Australian tennis player to be ranked No. 1 in the world in singles by the Women’s Tennis
Association. The respective player announced her retirement at 25 which appeared to be scary as
well as excited. The above image displays a confident decision over the retirement of the athlete
in which spending time with Australian junior players in addition to spending time with her
family post-retirement.
Ashleigh Barty’s decision over retirement appeared to be a bit emotional which was
delivered to the audience through a six-minute Instagram video on Wednesday. However, she

never announced a permanent retirement from the game. She also mentioned that it was the right
time that could be given to his family for which 100% commitment to the game was not to be
considered. The decision was made quite clear to the audience which was constituted of general
people and committee members of the relevant sports association (Ashleigh Barty Says Decision
to Retire Was 'Scary' But She'll 'Contribute' to Tennis 'in a Different Way', 2022).

References
I watched Cathy Freeman win gold at the Sydney Olympics. That moment still inspires me
today, (2020). Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/feb/05/i-watched-
cathy-freeman-win-gold-at-the-sydney-olympics-that-moment-still-inspires-me-today
Adam Goodes rejects AFL’s Australian Football Hall of Fame offer, (2021). Available at:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jun/08/adam-goodes-rejects-afls-hall-of-fame-offer
Ashleigh Barty Says Decision to Retire Was 'Scary' But She'll 'Contribute' to Tennis 'in a
Different Way', (2022). Available at: https://people.com/sports/ash-barty-says-retirement-
decision-is-scary-but-exciting/