OL – en global mediebegivenhet?

• Main Author: Roel Puijk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universitetsforlaget 1999-01-01
• Series: Norsk Medietidsskrift
• Online Access: https://www.idunn.no/nmt/1999/01/ol_en_global_mediebegivenhet

Based on data from the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, the article discusses the use of the 'media event' concept in connection with sports competitions like the Olympics. It is argued that the Olympics are complex both as regards their organisation, mediation and reception in different countries, and that this complexity makes it difficult to use the concept univocally. In Norway one may consider the Olympics as one aggregated media event, while some competitions or the ceremonies may have functioned as media events in other countries. In the second part processes surrounding the live mediated events are taken into more careful consideration, and a distinction is made between long-, medium- and short-term dramaturgy. In the final section the differentiation of the mediation and interpretation of the Olympics in different countries is dealt with, showing a wide range of meanings generated by the same events.