Y09W36VC Theme Words — Sport & politics

The use of vigorous campaigning or protest to achieve political, social or environmental change.

Word family: activist (n.), active (adj.)

Example: Athlete activism has a long history, from Muhammad Ali's refusal to serve in Vietnam to Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protest.

Synonyms: campaigning, advocacy, protest

Collocations: social activism, political activism, athlete activism

A position or opportunity used to express ideas and reach a wide audience; also a political programme.

Example: High-profile athletes have used their public platform to draw attention to issues of racial inequality and social justice.

Synonyms: stage, public voice, opportunity

Collocations: use a platform, public platform, political platform

A prolonged public disagreement or debate, especially about a matter of opinion.

Word family: controversial (adj.), controversially (adv.)

Example: The decision to allow athletes to make political gestures during medal ceremonies generated immediate controversy in the media.

Synonyms: debate, dispute, disagreement

Collocations: generate controversy, public controversy, at the centre of controversy

A particular way of considering or viewing something; a point of view shaped by experience, position or context.

Example: To fully understand the debate around athlete activism, it is important to consider multiple perspectives — those of athletes, fans and administrators alike.

Synonyms: point of view, viewpoint, standpoint

Collocations: from the perspective of, offer a perspective, shifting perspectives

A particular framework or way of looking at something; an analytical perspective used to examine an issue.

Example: When viewed through a political lens, sporting boycotts can be understood as acts of diplomatic protest rather than mere athletic decisions.

Synonyms: framework, viewpoint, perspective

Collocations: through the lens of, analytical lens, apply a lens

A basic structure or system of ideas used to understand or approach something.

Example: The essay uses a postcolonial framework to analyse the politics of representation in international sporting competitions.

Synonyms: structure, system, approach

Collocations: theoretical framework, analytical framework, provide a framework

A way of dealing with or thinking about a topic, problem or situation.

Word family: approach (v.)

Example: The documentary takes an intersectional approach, examining how race, class and gender each shape the athlete's experience.

Synonyms: method, strategy, way of thinking

Collocations: take an approach, different approach, critical approach

A position or opinion on an issue; the perspective from which something is considered.

Example: It is important to acknowledge that different stakeholders hold very different viewpoints on the role of sport in political protest.

Synonyms: perspective, point of view, position

Collocations: from a different viewpoint, share a viewpoint, opposing viewpoints

Used in academic writing to signal that the analysis that follows applies a particular theoretical or critical perspective.

Example: Athlete protests during the national anthem are ostensibly about sporting performance; through this lens of civil rights activism, however, they are political statements of the highest significance.

Synonyms: from this perspective, using this framework, viewed in this way

Collocations: through this lens, the... ; through this lens, it becomes clear; through this lens, the reader