"It's a Story of Another World": Perceptions of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games Among Japanese Athletes With Psychiatric Impairments

This study explored how athletes with psychiatric impairment in Japan perceived the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Data from 15 interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis; consequently, three themes were generated: (1) The Paralympics: "A Story of Another World"-the participa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Adapted physical activity quarterly Vol. 42; no. 3; p. 294
Main Authors: Akimoto, Shigeharu, Nagata, Shinichi, Richardson, Emma V
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01.07.2025
Subjects:
Adult
Athletes - psychology
East Asian People
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Japan
Male
Mental Disorders - psychology
Middle Aged
Para-Athletes - psychology
Persons with Disabilities - psychology
Qualitative Research
Sports for Persons with Disabilities - psychology
Tokyo
Young Adult
Tokyo
Japan
reflexive thematic analysis
social football
supercrip
ISSN:1543-2777, 1543-2777
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary:This study explored how athletes with psychiatric impairment in Japan perceived the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Data from 15 interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis; consequently, three themes were generated: (1) The Paralympics: "A Story of Another World"-the participants viewed the Paralympics only as a movement and not directly related to them; (2) "Do I Really Have to Work That Hard?"-"supercrip" representations through the Paralympics led to the disempowerment and disablement of people with psychiatric impairment, exacerbating their symptoms; (3) "A Futsal That Really Isn't Very Good"-the privileged status of the Paralympics presents only a facet of disability sport, which has resulted in other sports for people with psychiatric impairment, such as football, not being properly valued. This study adds to the literature regarding the legacy of the Paralympics and emphasizes moving beyond using the Paralympics as a vehicle for a more inclusive world.
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ISSN:1543-2777
1543-2777
DOI:10.1123/apaq.2024-0171