Sinclair, J. “More than an old flame: national symbolism and the media in the torch ceremony of the Olympics.” Media International Australia No.97(November 2000), pp.35-46.
Sinclair’s article look at the media representation of the Olymic Torch Relay, in the lead up to the opening of the the Sydney 200 Olympic games. He sees the games as a dual opportunity for the host city and nation – to represent themselves both to the world, and to their own nation. The torch relay, itself an ‘invented tradition’ (for the 1936 Berlin Olympics) is seen as symbolic of the national identity of the Host city. Sinclair notes Sydney being quoted as “multicultural city, in a multicultural nation, hosting a multicultural event” and sees the relay as symbolic of blanketing social difference under the context of ‘Australianness”, and sharing the spirit.
He looks to the headlining articles surrounding the relay – including the inclusion of SOCOG official, Kevin Gospers’s daughter as one of the first torchbearers – in place of a young- Greek-Australian girl, Yianna Souleles, which appeared to appeal to egalitarian values of Australians.
He then moves onto the representation of nature throughout the relay – as a unifying signifier to over-shadow social divisions, and as signifiers of what is Australian to international tourists.
The coverage of the torch relay did not take on real significance in the media until it arrived in Australian, and even then the actual progress of the torch itself was rarely a headline.
He also examines the torch’s arrival in Australia at Uluru, as being ‘good PR’ for the anticipated ‘Aboriginal issue’ which would sideline the Games, and symbolic of reconciliation. He sees the final female runners, and of course Cathy Freeman as a ‘fulfilled mission’ of the purpose of the relay.
Keywords: Aboriginal issues, Cathy Freeman, jen-bibliography, national identity, olympic flame, torch relay
