Summary:
Exercise brings a wealth of benefits for people with chronic diseases. Further negative effects on their health are prevented through physical activity. Athletes with disabilities, and in particular track and field athletes, experience such relevant benefits, for example by improving their cardiovascular health. However, during the pandemic period the suspension of sporting events led to significant problems, obstacles and restrictions for these athletes. Sport for disabled people became practically impossible and therefore any benefits to their health and psychosocial well-being were limited. Given the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, any measures were absolutely necessary. However, in athletics competitions it is relatively easy to follow health protocols to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Consequently, in the scenario of a similar situation in the future, an overhaul of the guidelines could be carried out to continue athletics, both in general and for people with disabilities. This study concludes the following recommendations when dealing with a similar threat: 1) Include public health experts on the medical committees of sporting bodies and organisers 2) Develop a predefined risk-based pandemic mitigation strategy by sport 3) Ensure that financial and logistical resources are provided to all participants to support the strategy 4) Implement public health principles that have been proven effective (hand washing, masks, physical distancing In conclusion, it seems that during the pandemic the needs of disabled track and field athletes were overlooked. Therefore, it highlights the need for further emphasis on the continuation of sporting events during a similar threat so that disabled track and field athletes are not affected. Indeed, given that disability is a socio-cognitive construct and not so much an objective reality as a disease, the suspension of sporting events for disabled track and field athletes significantly intensifies their stigma.
Key-words: athletes; disability; stigma; pandemic
