Intersections of Paralympic Bodies with High- Performance Sport

Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 3-6-2020 1:00 PM Telling Stories: Intersections of Paralympic Bodies with High- Performance Sport Nancy H. Quinn The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in Kinesiology A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Doctor of Philosophy © Nancy H. Quinn 2020 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Anthropology Commons, Disability Studies Commons, Leisure Studies Commons, and the Sports Studies Commons Recommended Citation Quinn, Nancy H., "Telling Stories: Intersections of Paralympic Bodies with High-Performance Sport" (2020). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 6955. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/6955 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Supervisor Misener, L. The University of Western Ontario This dissertation/thesis is available at Scholarship@Western: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/6955 Abstract Using ethnographic methodology, my dissertation research examined the experiences of members of the para sport community with high-performance sport. The intent of the research was to capture the many voices of the Paralympic community and privilege their experience of high-performance sport. Historically the lived experience of sport and competition of para sport ‘insiders’ has not been foregrounded in the sport science literature but for a few noteworthy exceptions (Berger, 2008; Howe 2008, 2017; McMaster, Culver, & Werthner, 2012). Ethnographic methods were used for data collection including interviews with and participant observation of para sport athletes and their entourage. Data collection took place at Commonwealth Games XXI, held at Gold Coast, Australia in 2018. As a sport medicine professional and veteran of high-performance sport including multiple Paralympic Games, my positionality is that of insider-outsider throughout the research. Initially, the research explored medicalized spaces and the embodiment of medical encounters during competition. The emergent nature of ethnographic research indicated the importance of sporting spaces on the experiences of inclusion and exclusion at these Games. Because of the integrated model of competition utilized by Commonwealth Games, exploration of athlete and non-athlete perspectives regarding integration was material to the project. The findings of this project reveal that medicalized assumptions around impaired bodies and athletic ability persist. Subtle acts of ableism impact the lived experience of high-performance for para sport insiders and continue to inform sporting spaces and practices. The realization of integration of para and able-bodied sport requires active pursuit, committed leadership and trustworthy knowledge of the experience of para sport athletes and others whose lives are intimately informed by para sport. Keywords para sport, impairment, integration, spatiality, high-performance, ethnography ii Lay Summary My Doctoral research explored the experiences of members of the para sport community within the context of high-performance sport. The focus of the project was to highlight the voice and perspectives of a variety of members of the para sport community to better understand some of the socio-cultural factors that impact high-performance para sport. Historically, too little research has examined experience of impairment and athleticism from the perspective of para sport insiders. Data collection took place at Commonwealth Games XXI hosted at Gold Coast, Australia in 2018. Research methods included interviews with and observation of para sport athletes, sport administrators, health care professionals, spectators and Games volunteers. As a sport physiotherapist and veteran of multiple Paralympic Games, the research focused on medical encounters between para sport athletes and medical professionals. However, as the research progressed, the event space in which the Games took place became significant due to its ability to include/exclude members of the para sport delegation. Commonwealth Games are an integrated Games where para and able-bodied athletes complete concurrently. Because of this, exploration of the para sport experience of integration in sport was material to the project. The research findings suggest that social assumptions around impaired bodies and athletic ability persist. These assumptions equate bodily impairment with flawed or lesser athletic ability. These attitudes continue to impact medical encounters, to privilege able-disabled athletes, and influence how event spaces are built. Finally, many non-athletes believe that integration is a positive trend in high- performance sport. In sharp contrast with this finding, interviews with para sport athletes themselves indicate highly diverse and potentially divisive opinions regarding the merits of integration in sport. iii Co-Authorship Statement The research presented in this dissertation was conducted as part of the requirements necessary to complete my doctoral program of study. The information presented in this document is my own original work. However, I wish to explicitly acknowledge the contributions of my supervisor Dr. Laura Misener, and members of my advisory committee, Dr. David Howe and Dr. Michael Heine. Although I am the primary author of this work, this research project would not have been possible without editorial and IT support, as well as abundant psycho-social fortification of many family members, friends, and professional colleagues. iv Acknowledgments Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose. Zora Neale Hurston I must thank my supervisor Dr. Laura Misener for her enthusiasm and support of my research interests throughout my Doctoral studies. She has generously shared her expertise and time with me as well as much needed guidance and an abundance of good humour. The space created by Dr. Misener for me has fostered much growth, personally and as researcher. I have great admiration for Dr. Misener. She is genuinely committed to her students and her research interests, specifically the social impact of elite para sport and sporting events. A warm thank you to the other members of my thesis committee, Dr. David Howe and Dr. Michael Heine. Your willingness to share your time, and academic experience is much appreciated. I have much admiration for your respective head spaces and exceptional gifts of language. I would like to express my gratitude to the Graduate Department of Kinesiology at Western University for affording a very ‘mature’ graduate student like me, the opportunity to ‘poke and pry with purpose’, in pursuit of my Doctorate. Jo Ann Ward has lovingly kept my professional career intact for the last twenty- five years, for which I am forever grateful. To the people I work with at Quinn Rehab Services, including staff and clients, many thanks for your interest and encouragement along the way. To Marshall Quinn and Bayley Quinn, I love you as I do no one else. Thank you for seeing me through all that life has brought, including this PhD. Lastly to my beloved Eric Taves. Thank you for choosing to privilege what is important to me in your world. My life is rich and full with you in it. v Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Lay Summary ..................................................................................................................... iii Co-Authorship Statement................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... v Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... vi List of Abbreviations, Symbols, Nomenclature .................................................................. x List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... xi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... xii List of Appendices ........................................................................................................... xiii Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................. 1 1 Telling Stories: Intersections of Paralympic Bodies with High Performance Sport ...... 1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Overview of the Dissertation Research................................................................... 2 1.3 Layout of Dissertation............................................................................................. 3 1.4 Research Objective and Questions.......................................................................... 4 1.5 Positionality of the Researcher ............................................................................... 5 1.6 Conceptual Framework ..........................................................................................

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