National sports heroes as representatives of national character

Abstract

Why do some sports stars become legendary national heroes while others are quickly forgotten? This study addressed this question through profiles of three New Zealand national sports heroes; rugby players George Nepia, Colin Meads and Jonah Lomu. The assumption was that the most popular sports heroes are those who appeal to the public because they personify the values and qualities that are highly regarded by society of the time; that they reflect the national character of the time. The public image of each player was assessed from reports in popular media, particularly newspaper reports and biographical books. Information regarding New Zealand society at the height of each player's career was obtained from historical and sociological books and from newspaper articles written at the time. For each hero, the 'fit' between the public image of the player and the perceived character of the 'typical' New Zealander of the time was assessed and discussed. It was found that many personal and situational influences contributed to the status of each player as a national hero. Public acclaim for each hero was both personal and symbolic. Each player was seen by the public to express personal qualities and values that were respected in society at the height of their fame. Each player also provided evidence to the New Zealand public of some element of their culture that was perceived to be positive and unique. In this interpretation, it was found that national sports heroes can be seen as symbols of their time. They are not typical members of the population, but they capture the imagination of the public because the population see in the heroes something positive about themselves.