Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Graduate
Project Type
individual
Authors' Class Standing
Graduate Student
Lead Presenter's Name
Ana Pajic
Faculty Mentor Name
David Keck
Abstract
This study offers a review of different examples in world of sports and aviation, emphasizing the interrelationships between national identity, pride, and competition. A careful qualitative analysis of a diverse range of national and airline promotional materials are used in order to support this case study. Results are found in the different examples of airlines and airports during the Olympic Games in London, Rio, and PyeongChang. For example, in order to demonstrate national status through such popular competitions, countries and airlines have modified airports, used airplanes for distinctive advertising campaigns, and promoted their innovations such as the development of biofuel. Using aviation in sports in order to promote national identity began as early as the 1936 Olympic Games when the medal for the contribution to Aeronautics was awarded. Furthermore, through Air Serbia’s “The Living Legends” program national pride is demonstrated through the promotion of several successful athletes, such as Novak Djokovic, whose names appear on the fuselage of the airplanes. This study reveals how nations compete in promoting national identity through the highly competitive fields of sports and aviation. In doing so, the study helps develop the political dimension to the emerging field of sports and aviation.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
National Identity, National Pride, and Competition
This study offers a review of different examples in world of sports and aviation, emphasizing the interrelationships between national identity, pride, and competition. A careful qualitative analysis of a diverse range of national and airline promotional materials are used in order to support this case study. Results are found in the different examples of airlines and airports during the Olympic Games in London, Rio, and PyeongChang. For example, in order to demonstrate national status through such popular competitions, countries and airlines have modified airports, used airplanes for distinctive advertising campaigns, and promoted their innovations such as the development of biofuel. Using aviation in sports in order to promote national identity began as early as the 1936 Olympic Games when the medal for the contribution to Aeronautics was awarded. Furthermore, through Air Serbia’s “The Living Legends” program national pride is demonstrated through the promotion of several successful athletes, such as Novak Djokovic, whose names appear on the fuselage of the airplanes. This study reveals how nations compete in promoting national identity through the highly competitive fields of sports and aviation. In doing so, the study helps develop the political dimension to the emerging field of sports and aviation.