Elite sport and social media: is it a necessary evil?

Instagram, Edwina Bone.

By Emma De Kiefte
In the modern world social media has a close relationship with elite sport.

Yet this relationship is not always positive.

Professional boxer, Gerard O’Mahony, fears that social media is having an ill effect on sport, as athletes have gotten into the habit of talking themselves up rather than using their actions.

“I was always taught to be a little bit humble and you know you don’t promote yourself, like your actions should promote and speak for themselves,” Mr O’Mahony said.

Current Hockeyroo and Olympic hopeful Edwina Bone has similar fears, however, she argues that social media is not all ‘doom and gloom’.

Ms Bone admits that she uses it, however, rather than to promote herself she is promoting the Australian hockey team, their success, and just as importantly, women in sport.

She admits that once she finally achieved her dreams of making the team, she discovered that many people didn’t know who the Hockeyroos were, let alone how successful the team was. So she took it upon herself to get the word out there.

The issue of using social media for promotion comes down to personal opinion. Yet social media has many negative aspects and even in some cases poses a danger. Earlier this year it was proposed that a ban of social media use for athletes should take place over the course of the Olympics.

Ms Bone says restrictions or bans at elite competitions, like this, would be a good thing as they prevent athletes from seeing negative posts about their performance and even potentially keep them safe.

“I know it sounds ridiculous, but terrorists are a risk. [If someone posts a video or photo] someone
can just grab that and say this is this building and how far it is to that building. It’s just safer for everyone,” she said.

Emma de Kiefte talks Mr O’Mahony and Ms Bone about their experiences of social media at the elite sport level.