FROM IMPERFECT TO HIGHLY PERFECT: THE KALOKAGATHÍA OF PARALYMPIC ATHLETES

Authors

  • Luciane Maria Micheletti Tonon University of Sao Paulo
  • Kátia Rubio University of Sao Paulo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22456/1982-8918.81675

Keywords:

Disabled Persons. Athletes. Philosophy. Athletic Injuries.

Abstract

This article aims to discuss kalokagathia (the good and the beautiful) in the passage of the athlete who transcended physical limitations or imperfections imposed by disability to the position of excellence achieved in a career as Paralympic athlete. When it comes to sports, the “imperfect” metaphor points out who people with disabilities are and where they are, when and why sports practices become accessible, and where they are today. Biographical narratives were used as a method, which allowed understanding the transition processes of the athletes studied. All of them were on an Olympic career path when they suffered an accident or illness that physically limited them. What has been seen and heard of these athletes is their love of life shining over any atrophied muscles, darkness in their visual fields or missing body parts.

 

 

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Author Biographies

Luciane Maria Micheletti Tonon, University of Sao Paulo

Master in Sociocultural and Behavioral Studies of Physical Education and Sports and member of the Group of Olympic Studies at the School of Physical Education and Sports of USP - Research in preparation: Olympic and Paralympic Games: separated by a moment.

Kátia Rubio, University of Sao Paulo

Associate Professor at the School of Physical Education and Sports of Usp. Coordinator of the Center for Sociocultural Studies of the Human Movement and the EEFE-USP Olympic Studies Group. Member of the Brazilian Olympic Academy.

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Published

2018-09-30

How to Cite

TONON, L. M. M.; RUBIO, K. FROM IMPERFECT TO HIGHLY PERFECT: THE KALOKAGATHÍA OF PARALYMPIC ATHLETES. Movimento, [S. l.], v. 24, n. 3, p. 1001–1014, 2018. DOI: 10.22456/1982-8918.81675. Disponível em: https://seer.ufrgs.br/index.php/Movimento/article/view/81675. Acesso em: 24 jun. 2025.

Issue

v. 24, n. 3, jul./set. 2018

Section

Original Articles

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