AUTHOR=Dehghansai Nima , Pinder Ross A. , Baker Joe TITLE=Talent Identification and Development in Paralympic Contexts: Current Challenges JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living VOLUME=4 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2022.926974 DOI=10.3389/fspor.2022.926974 ISSN=2624-9367 ABSTRACT=

This short review explores the state of talent identification and development of athletes in Paralympic contexts. While talent identification typically occurs during adolescence, this practice is more complex and variable in Paralympic contexts compared to non-Paralympic contexts. For example, Paralympic athletes can have impairments that are congenital or acquired at any time across their lives. Therefore, they can enter performance pathways at unpredictable times. Furthermore, differences and nuances associated with athlete impairments (type and severity), compounded by other systematic complexities (e.g., systems of classification) highlight the need to consider alternative and creative approaches to talent identification and development. We provide an overview of some of these complexities, highlight areas for future research, and provide recommendations for practitioners.