Research on social settings of paralympic sports in brazil: process for classification of athletes

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate and define interaction ways and social disputes in Brazilian Paralympic movement, relative the procedures for classification of athletes, based on Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts. The methodology was based on semi-structured interviews with 4 athletes (physical or visual disabilities, practitioners of different sports - swimming, goalball, rugby and wheelchair basketball) and 4 administrators (2 active in technical functions and 2 in administrative functions at the Brazilian Paralympic Committee). The data analysis was based on the Collective Subject Discourse method and its methodological tools (keyword phrases; central ideas; anchors; tools of discourse analysis). Results stand out as: classification protocols, as well as the performance and training of new classifiers represent social tensions in this area; classifiers have an important symbolic power in the sub-area; Other agents, like coaches and athletes, have reduced chances of ascent due the unfavorable social conditions.