This book investigates the media's portrayal of female athletes during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. It analyzes how women were represented across diverse international media landscapes, employing feminist theories and qualitative textual analysis. The research identifies recurring media narratives that construct athletic feminine identities, influenced by factors such as marketable sex appeal, the creation of national heroines, emotional responses to performance, and the intersection of athletes' personal lives with their public personas. The study also highlights the differential visibility afforded to various sports, from beach volleyball to wrestling and weightlifting.

The book offers a comprehensive introduction to the study of women in sports media, drawing on established feminist and textual analysis methodologies. It provides a detailed examination of media narratives surrounding female athletes at the 2004 Olympics, highlighting how identity is constructed through various lenses including marketability, heroism, and personal life. The work is positioned as a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of media representation in sport. Its scope covers diverse geographical regions and a range of athletic disciplines.