Being aware of these assumptions and metanarratives is especially important, I would argue, because of the centrality of sport to our everyday lives, the role that sport plays in shaping our childhood and worldviews andthe role that sport plays in shaping how we see fairness, success, and competition in life.

One common idea in track and field is that success comes only from hard work and talent. While effort matters, things like access to good coaching, training, and resources also play a big role. Another belief is that track and field is a solo sport, but even individual athletes rely on teams for support. There’s also the idea that overcoming struggles leads to greatness. While this is inspiring, it ignores the barriers some athletes face, like lack of funding or discrimination.

This matters because sports shape our thinking from a young age. If we don’t question these ideas, we might not notice unfairness in sports and beyond. Being aware helps make sports more fair and open to everyone.

The bodies-at-risk discourse makes health seem like a personal choice, blaming people for being unhealthy instead of looking at social and economic factors that affect health. According to Louis Harrison, Laura Azzarito, and Samuel Hodge, western societies treat health as a commodity, something people must buy and maintain to be seen as “responsible citizens.” This benefits businesses that sell health products, gym memberships, and medical treatments, turning health into a money-making industry rather than a basic human right.

When we ignore the health gap—the unfair differences in health between rich and poor or different racial groups—we fail to see that systemic barriers make it harder for some people to stay healthy. Lack of access to healthcare, education, safe environments, and nutritious food all contribute to poor health. Without a social justice approach, these inequalities will continue, and health will remain a privilege instead of a right for all.

Feminism is the belief that all people, regardless of gender, should have equal rights, opportunities, and respect. It fights against discrimination and challenges unfair systems that hold women and marginalized groups back. Feminism is not about making one gender better than another—it is about fairness, freedom, and choice for everyone.

The image of “We Can Do It!” represents feminism because it shows a strong woman proving that women can do the same work as men. This image, originally created during World War II, encouraged women to work in factories while men were at war. It symbolizes strength, independence, and breaking stereotypes. To me, feminism means having the power to choose your own path, whether it’s in sports, education, or work. This image matters because it reminds us that women have always been capable and deserve equal chances to succeed.