The Emergence of the Pandemic: High-Performance Coach and Athlete Experiences

in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly

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Nima Dehghansai Paralympics Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0366-8239 *
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Alia Mazhar York University, North York, ON, Canada

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Ross Pinder Paralympics Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

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Joseph Baker York University, North York, ON, Canada

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Ian Renshaw Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2022-0021
Keywords:
lockdown; Paralympic sport; Para sport; athletes with impairments; challenges; strategies
First Published Online:
22 Nov 2022
In Print:
Volume 40: Issue 2
Page Range:
197–218
Restricted access

The current study explored coach and athlete reactions and challenges leading up to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with a specific focus on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Games’ postponement. Nine Australian Paralympic coaches (n = 3) and athletes (n = 6) shared their experiences in semistructured interviews. The thematic analysis highlighted how participants experienced the emergence of the pandemic in different ways, but all were relieved when the late but eventual decision to postpone the Games was made. Regarding lockdown periods (i.e., social-distancing restrictions), some coaches and athletes thrived under the new reality (i.e., training from home, online coaching) while others had more difficulty adjusting. Furthermore, results highlight the many uncertainties still remaining, which continue to influence participants’ sport and personal lives. The experiences of coaches and athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic sheds light on strategies and resources that could support Paralympic coaches and athletes during current and future crises.

Dehghansai (Nimadehghan@gmail.com) is corresponding author, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0366-8239

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