WOMEN IN PARALYMPIC SPORTS: PARTICIPATION, PERFORMANCE AND TRAJECTORIES OF BRAZILIAN ATHLETES

This study aimed to investigate the participation, performance, and trajectory of Brazilian female Paralympic athletes. The data source used was the Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games report, prepared by the Special Secretariat for Sports and the Ministry of Citizenship. The results showed that most athletes had an acquired disability and started late in Paralympic sports, with a rapid rise to elite performance. Some athletes transitioned between sports throughout their careers, highlighting the diversity of their experiences. Friends, family members, and clubs were essential in their introduction to sports. The analysis also revealed that most athletes were born in the Southeast region of Brazil, but the size of their hometown was not a determining factor in their athletic development. These findings bring visibility to these women's stories and reinforce the importance of support networks and inclusive environments for the promotion of adaptive sports.

Keywords
Disability; Career; Gender