Learnings from the Pandemic\u27s Impact on Para-Sport: An Analysis on Parasport Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The pandemic has impacted the casual/non-sport, recreational, and elite para-sport experience by emphasizing social isolation, career uncertainty, training quality, and accessibility. To further understand the impacts of the pandemic on the development of para-sport, researchers must learn from the lived experiences of para-sport participants. This poster aims to examine the lived experiences of parasport participants and the implications on parasport development during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Quotes from para-sport participants were collected from online forums on the study (Project Echo) website and through live, virtual discussions facilitated by Project Echo researchers. 6 themes were found from the data set. This poster explores the 5 subthemes identified under the COVID-19 theme: (1) Safety; (2) Accessibility; (3) Participation in Physical Activity; (4) Future of Events; and (5) Mental Health. In conclusion, the pandemic has magnified existing inequities in para-sport. Policy-makers and sport facilitators should utilize the pandemic as an opportunity to address and solve existing issues faced by para-sport participants by including participants in decision-making processes