LIFE STORIES ABOUT PARALYMPIC SPORTSMEN: SPORT BIOGRAPHICAL ITINERARY

Abstract

The paralympic sportsmen achieved in Argentina 149 medals from the first edition of the games in 1960. Nevertheless, it is
little that is known of them. This work suggests to reveal the sport itineraries of 5 paralimpic sportsmen born between 1937
and1983. It reveals discoveries of an investigation about biographical itineraries with a non-standard perspective based in the
biographical method with real stories of life. In this investigation it is chosen an adaptable multivocal design tackled with
interviews treated deeply with a manual, analyzed with the Continuous Comparative Method of the Based Theory of the Data,
assisted by the software Atlas.ti. Between its discoveries is emphasized a late initiation in the sport that was made to 4
sportsmen, who were interviewed after 18 years old. It was the vertiginous consequence in international competitions that
represents the country, which was considered as a powerful incentive. The sport allowed them to travel around the world and
put them in contact with other cultures; and that enriched their horizon of expectations. In addition, the sportsmen had tolerance
to the systematic effort and precise goals, conditions that went further from the sport itinerary. There were emphasized
limitations in the opportunities just like shortcoming in the exposure sponsorship. This study is a contribution that cooperates
in order to sort out the empty space of the lack of works about investigation together with disabled people, who have been
successful in any field. Additionally, it is advisable to make new investigations about this topic from the voice of its main
characters, so that to make a body of essential knowledge, which means an important contribution in the elaboration and taking
political decisions