Authors
1 Full Professor of Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
2 Doctor of Philosophy of Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
Abstract
Abstract
The study of talent identification is a complex area, and there are many variables that affect athletic performance. This complexity is greater in Paralympic sports compared to the Olympics due to the unique impacts of disabilities and the specific classification rules and regulations. It has been stated that the cost required to win a gold medal in the Olympics is about $37 million (1), and considering that resources in Paralympic sports are much more limited compared to the Olympics, proper talent identification can reduce mistakes, increase the effectiveness of resources, and prevent many identified athletes from failing. If it is possible to eliminate such errors in the talent identification system, it would provide the sporting body with the opportunity to focus on economic costs and select a smaller community of athletes, subsequently allowing for greater focus on coaches and other resources in the pursuit of excellence. Therefore, due to the importance of the topic, the aim of this article is to review the challenges, models, and methods of talent identification for Paralympic athletes.
Methods
Access to articles was conducted using databases and search engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Elsevier with the keywords Talent, Identification, Development, Paralympic, Model, Pathway, as well as Persian keywords; Talent and Identification, Paralympic Games. This search was performed on the national journal databases (MAGIRAN), the Scientific Information Database of the Jihad University (SID), and the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC). The timeframe for the articles used ranged from 1990 to 2024. The method for selecting articles is illustrated in Figure 1. In this study, 26 English sources and 3 Persian sources were reviewed. Given that the aim of this review article was to examine the theories, models, pathways, and policies of Paralympic sports, articles that evaluated various factors of talent identification in Paralympic sports disciplines were excluded, and only studies that theoretically and fundamentally addressed these policies were utilized.
Findings
After reviewing and studying numerous articles, the research results have been classified into two sections: talent identification models and pathways for talent identification in Paralympic sports.
Talent Identification Models in Paralympic Sports
The Structural Design and Analysis Principles (IAD) by Strohm (2005 and 2011) provide a clear framework for studying and examining the selection process of Paralympic athletes and categorizes the complexities involved in the decisions regarding the selection of these athletes. What is evident is that there is limited quantitative information available regarding the talent identification models in Paralympic sports, and it cannot be claimed that a framework and structure can fully and precisely address all aspects and complexities of this field (2,3).
Methods and Pathways for Talent Identification in Paralympic Sports
Pankoviak (2020) and Patatas (2019) stated that the path of Paralympic athletes is a multidimensional development trajectory with intra-individual, inter-individual, organizational, and institutional indicators, as well as cultural-social factors that impact the athletes' growth from amateur levels to elite status (4,5). The way individuals enter this system, progress along the pathway, and achieve excellence in Paralympic sports varies widely due to the diverse entry routes into sports, the broad age range of athletes with various disabilities, and the relationship between the classification system of athletes and the existing rules across multiple disciplines. Determining a clear pathway for talent identification among Paralympic athletes is a very challenging and complex task. Among the challenging aspects of talent identification is its connection to classification and the permission for each athlete's participation in national and international competitions. Factors related to Paralympic athletes, such as the type of disability, the extent of primary or secondary disability, and classification, can indicate the level of complexity and influence in the field of talent identification (6). In Canada, the country's Paralympic Committee, following the path of the National Olympic Committee, initiated an innovative program called "Searching for Paralympians," which is conducted three to four times a year across Canada with the aim of raising awareness, attracting novice athletes, identifying talents, and facilitating the transfer of talents to national Paralympic teams (7).
Discussion and Conclusion
Although there is no complete and precise framework or structure to fully address the complexities of talent identification in Paralympic sports, it seems that a modified version of the talent identification models used for Olympic athletes, considering the specific considerations of Paralympic athletes such as disabilities and impairments, can currently be applied. Since the potential for excellence and champion development in these sports is inherently multidimensional, talent scouts need to clearly evaluate these dimensions and the weight of each one when selecting elite individuals. Alongside analyzing rules and regulations, athlete characteristics, and environmental conditions, they should be able to optimally determine a better selection strategy. Factors related to impairments are regarded as one of the main elements of talent identification in Paralympic sports, and having a suitable organization and structure for the classification process at the beginning stages of talent identification is essential to prevent possible injuries and wastage of resources in the champion development path in any country. If the path of champion development and excellence in Paralympic sports is to converge and align with that of Olympic sports, it seems necessary to provide hardware (such as sports equipment and facilities) and software (such as trained coaches) for schools and clubs to increase participation and facilitate the earlier entry of these individuals into the realm of sports participation.
Keywords
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