The following faculty members at the University of North Texas are available for media interviews on topics related to the 2016 Summer Olympics, which begin Aug. 5 (Friday) in Rio de Janeiro.

Tracy Everbach, a professor in UNT's Frank. W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism, will discuss the news media's coverage and representation of female athletes and how it compares to that of male athletes, but will not speculate on possible medal winners. She has researched media coverage of female athletes since 2005. Everbach compared the coverage of male and female athletes at the last Summer Olympics games in London in 2012.

Everbach will be at an academic conference Aug. 3-7, but will be available via cell phone at 214-995-8464 and by e-mail at Everbach@unt.edu

Trent Petrie, professor of psychology and director of UNT's Center for Sport Psychology and Performance Excellence, will discuss how athletes prepare themselves mentally for their events and how they cope with adversity, such as poor performances, injuries and negative media coverage, to remain focused and motivated for the Olympics. He will also discuss how mental toughness plays a role in successful performance.

Petrie is traveling, but is available by e-mail (use as first option) at Trent.Petrie@unt.edu and by cell phone at 940-453-9313