Brazilian women in paralympic sports: uncovering historical milestones in the summer paralympic games
The journey of Brazilian female Paralympians transcends mere statistical increases in women`s participation. Behind the modest athlete growth lies the reality of women who are doubly marginalized by the intersection of gender and disability in an arena tailored for able-bodied men. Our study aimed to catalyze critical discourses surrounding the historical trajectory of Paralympic women`s sports. Through a comprehensive documentary analysis based on the Brazilian Paralympic Committee`s official documents from 1976 to 2021, we sought to shed light on this complex scenario. Numerically, Brazil`s representation comprised 229 women who, predominantly, had physical impairments and engaged in individual sports. In addition to a sporting legacy deeply entrenched in physical rehabilitation with limited opportunities for team-based sports, we observed negative influences stemming from ableist and sexist narratives. A thorough investigation into Paralympic milestones revealed a multitude of social barriers and highlighted the significant impact of societal changes in reshaping athletic opportunities and challenging traditional stereotypes.
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| Subjects: | |
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| Notations: | sports for the handicapped sport history and sport politics social sciences |
| Published in: | Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2024
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2023-0139 |
| Volume: | 41 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| Pages: | 499-512 |
| Document types: | article |
| Level: | advanced |