Another metanarrative is Sport as a Ritual or religion, the idea that sports function as a kind of modern day religion with rituals (during games and ceremonies), sacred spaces (stadiums) and devout followers (fans).  A crowd of fans resembling a congregation

… and the way it reinforces or challenges the stories we tell ourselves about success, identity, and values. For instance, “Pursuit if Excellence” and “Overcoming Adversity” frames athletes as symbols of perseverance and dedication, shaping how we view hard work, not just in sports, but in a broader context. We aspire to be like the athletes we see playing, the ones we idolize, that why inclusion based on gender, race, or ability are so important. It allows us to recognize the narratives of those who are being excluded and begin questioning whose stories are being amplified and whose struggles are being minimized and what values are being upheld.

Sports and social justice can coexist through advocacy and activism, athletes use their platforms to highlight systemic injustices and push for change. A powerful example of this intersection is Colin Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality and racial injustice. In 2016, Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem as a form of silent protest, sparking both widespread support and intense backlash. His actions ignited global conversations about racism, police violence, and the role of athletes in social movements.

Kaepernick’s activism highlighted a major barrier in this intersection: the criticism and consequences athletes face for speaking out. Despite being a highly skilled quarterback, Kaepernick was effectively blacklisted from the NFL, showing how institutions can resist or punish advocacy that challenges the status quo. His protest also raised debates about patriotism, free speech, and whether sports are an appropriate space for activism.

The authors argue that the bodies-at-risk discourse, rooted in neoliberalism and healthism, shifts responsibility for health outcomes onto individuals, particularly marginalized groups, rather than addressing systemic inequalities. By framing these groups as non-compliant with dominant health norms, public health initiatives reinforce stereotypes and fail to account for the social determinants of health. This approach perpetuates blame, surveillance, and control, while ignoring the structural barriers these populations face. The refusal to view health disparities through a social justice lens allows systemic inequities, such as racism and socioeconomic exclusion, to persist. In consequence, health programs may exacerbate the marginalization of these groups rather than addressing the root causes of disparities. This limits the effectiveness of public health interventions and widens the health gap.

When I got this prompt, and we were allowed to choose our own photos, an image I had reposted in 2020 came to mind. The photo is of a young black woman holding up an upside-down American flag during the BLM movement and protests. The photo is a perfect example of intersectionality and how you often have one ‘topic’ when another is at play. Although the photo itself didn’t come from a feminist movement, the photo stands for equality, in the same way she was fighting for her rights based on race (police brutality), I feel it resonates with feminism at the same time. When I look at this photo I see a strong woman, no matter what, fighting for her rights. I believe that I wouldn’t physically feel the same way if it was a man (although still empowering under the circumstances), I see a girl standing in the middle of all the chaos fighting to been seen and heard, that alone encapsulates what it is like to be a woman, and is seemingly more relevant being a woman of colour.