Athletes confessions: The sports biography as an interaction ritual. Issue 2 (27th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thing, L. F.; Ronglan, L. T.
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. Volume 25:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 280
• Page End: 288
• Publication Date: 2014-03-27
• Subjects: Sport sociology -- emotions -- identity -- media -- doping; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1111/sms.12198
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0905-7188

Abstract

Abstract : Commercialization of emotions is not a new phenomenon but in Denmark there is a new general trend to tell and sell personal stories in the media. Personal deprivation and crises are also major topics in sports media. This paper focuses on sports biographies as a book genre that is reviving in popularity. The paper approaches the topic through the biographies of one Danish athlete: the former professional cyclist, Jesper Skibby, who writes about his doping disclosure and shares his personal dilemmas as a former elite sportsman. The thematic text analysis orientates around social interactions, emotions, and personality constructions. Inspired by microsociology with a Durkheimian flavor of Goffman and Hochschild, themes including "face work, " "interaction rituals, " and "emotions management" are discussed. The analysis claims that sharing personal information in the media is not only a means of confession and reclaiming status but is also business and management – on an intimate level. Telling the story of the corrosion of a sporting character has become a hot issue, an entertainment, and not least a commercial commitment.