Mainstream integration or ableist adaptation?—Para-athletes’ conceptions and experiences of mainstreaming parasports

People with disabilities do not have equal opportunities to participate in sports compared to mainstream athletes. To counteract this, the last few decades have seen growing efforts to mainstream parasports. This study investigated how underlying ableist norms shape opportunities and conditions for people with disabilities in the context of mainstreaming within Swedish sports. The method of data collection was 19 semi-structured interviews with para-athletes and parents (9 women and 10 men). After theory- and data-driven coding, ableism was applied as a conceptual lens. Findings show that the inherent comparative logic within sports triggers ableist manifestations and creates exclusionary practices towards para-athletes. For example, able-bodied ideals are internalized by para-athletes, influencing the way they perceive and value their athleticism. Conclusively, although comparisons of performance are an inextricable part of sports, the study highlights how mainstreaming contributes to emphasizing differences, thereby reinforcing ableist norms and limiting opportunities for para-athletes.