Determinants of participation and support mechanisms in a paralympic sport training program: evidence from the IDRD program in Bogotá.

Introduction: While Paralympic sport programs are increasingly recognized for their contribution to the well-being and social inclusion of people with disabilities, less attention has been given to the factors that facilitate or constrain athletes' participation within these programs. Understanding how individual motivation, support systems, and structural barriers influence engagement in sport programs is particularly relevant in under-researched contexts such as Latin America. This study aims to: a) describe the socio-demographic and sport participation profiles of athletes involved in a Paralympic sport training program in Bogotá, Colombia; b) examine the role of support systems-such as coaches, family members, and teammates-in shaping athletes' engagement in the program; and c) identify key motivations and barriers influencing sustained participation in Paralympic sport. Methods: A quantitative research design was used to collect data from athletes participating in the Paralympic sport training program implemented by the Instituto Distrital de Recreación y Deporte in Bogotá, Colombia. Data were gathered through a structured questionnaire examining athletes' demographic characteristics, sport participation history, sources of support, motivations for engagement in sport, and perceived barriers to participation. Descriptive and exploratory analyses were conducted to examine patterns of participation and program-related factors. Findings: Results indicate that athletes' engagement in the program is strongly supported by multiple social actors, particularly coaches, family members, and teammates. Coaching support emerged as a key enabling factor, with athletes reporting that encouragement and confidence expressed by coaches played an important role in sustaining their motivation. Athletes reported motivations related to improving physical well-being, enhancing appearance, and achieving sports performance goals such as winning medals. The predominance of men among participants also suggests that access to para sport may be shaped by intersecting forms of inequality, particularly those related to gender and disability. Discussion: The findings highlight the importance of supportive environments and institutional resources in facilitating sustained participation in Paralympic sport programs. These results underscore the need for policies and sport programs that address not only motivational and structural factors, but also intersecting forms of inequality, particularly those related to gender and disability, in order to expand equitable participation opportunities for people with disabilities in Colombia and similar contexts.