Skip to content
Search

Media visibility and representation of Paralympic athletes

Media often doesn’t accurately depict people with disabilities, perpetuating stereotypes and hindering their inclusion. This study examines how Spain’s National Broadcaster covered the Paralympic Games, aiming to understand how media representation influences perceptions of disability.

Navigating sponsorship challenges for Paralympic athletes

Did you know that Paralympic athletes’ portrayal as inspirational figures influences their sponsorship opportunities? But not all athletes fit into these narratives, leading to challenges securing sponsorships. The views shaping sponsor perceptions highlight inequalities in sponsor access based on athletes’ perceived inspiration levels, calling for inclusive sponsorship practices and intersectional research for fairer opportunities.

The history of Para sport in Canada

Canada has long been a leader in sport and recreation for persons with disability, and it is astounding to consider the contributions made in the last century. This is found in every aspect of disability sport including those for persons with intellectual impairment, mobility disabilities, and deafness. But for the purposes of this article, the…

Canadian Para Nordic skiers on multi-sport and athlete transfer

Robbi Weldon, Christina Picton and Cindy Ouellet have a collective 10 Paralympic appearances between them. All 3 women are multi-sport athletes from childhood and all 3 have represented Canada in Para nordic skiing. On the surface, their experiences with the Canadian Para sport system may seem similar. But what their stories show is that there…

Supporting athletes after the Games

After participating at an international competition or major games event such as the Paralympics, athletes may experience the “post-Games blues.” Research shows that support structures that include educational programs and resources are important to help Paralympic athletes transition to life post-Games.

Practice pays off

Becoming a Paralympian requires skill, dedication, resiliency, and a lot of practice. A recent study found that Paralympic athletes averaged over 6,400 hours of training during their careers.

Mental health at the Games

“We’ve never been so focused on mental health and wellness at the Games.” In the SIRCuit, Stephanie Dixon, the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s Tokyo 2020 Chef de Mission, shares insight on the mental health strategies designed to support Canada’s Olympic teams in Tokyo and Beijing, including the debut of a designated Mental Health Lead.

Managing expectations

We often think about the stress that an athlete experiences before a major competition, but what about their coach? Research suggests that many Paralympian coaches set high expectations for themselves which can lead to stress and burnout. Strategies that help coaches manage their expectations and the expectations of athletes and support staff are key to…