Critical analysis of Special Olympics

    Special Olympics (SO) began in 1968 with the goal of enabling individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports and gain visibility in society. While successful in creating opportunities, SO has faced criticism for its original segregated structure. The introduction of Unified Sports aimed to enhance inclusivity by involving athletes with and without disabilities. However, this approach has been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes. Existing research on SO has focused on athletes' motivations and positive outcomes, but less on inclusion and dropout reasons.

    Giese et al. (2022) employed a critical perspective that emphasizes ableism (discrimination against disabled individuals) and power dynamics. As such, they revealed how SO, despite its intentions, inadvertently reinforces exclusion through ableist hierarchies. They delved into Special Olympics Germany's (SOD) official documents using discourse analysis to uncover patterns of exclusion. Its objective was to deepen the understanding of disability, inclusion, and exclusion, viewing inclusion as broader opportunities and societal engagement not confined by ability expectations. The study aimed to provide a theoretically informed critique of SO and the role of ability expectations in shaping its practices.

    This perspective contrasts with the Enlightenment notion of a self that is inherently independent. Post-structuralist theorists argue that the self is shaped by influential discourses of its time, context, and authoritative knowledge systems. Subject formation occurs within power dynamics, influenced by knowledge paradigms. Subjects are molded by specific codes and frameworks dictated by societal orders.

    Discourses are systems of thought shaping self-awareness and understanding of the world. They define how a person should think, behave, and pursue goals to be recognized as a subject. Discourses offer and enforce subject formations. Neoliberal body discourses promote the "fit" and "healthy" subject prioritizing self-improvement and productivity. Sports exemplify this discourse-driven structure, where self-enhancement is central.

    These discourses and subject constructions influence individuals' lives as they engage with practices aligned with desired subject identities. Disciplinary practices regulate and shape behaviors, evident in educational and sports settings, objectifying and standardizing individuals. Individuals are directed to achieve within predetermined limits, common in competitive sports.

    The analysis merged the power-critical and ableism-critical perspectives, emphasizing the role of ability expectations in shaping subject formations. Ableism creates hierarchies categorizing individuals based on abilities. These hierarchies influence subject formations and create interconnected divisions. Competitive sports rank individuals based on abilities, excluding those not meeting standards. SO provides a space for individuals with intellectual disabilities to compete but also upholds ableist divisions and exclusions.

    The researchers analyzed SOD documents to uncover subject formations and ability expectations, identifying ableist divisions. Structured content analysis was used, with focus on divisioning and the principle of advancement within the SO sports concept. The documents included Article 1, General Rules, and Sports Concept of SOD, alongside others related to upcoming competitions.

    The principle of advancement dictates athletes must train and participate in qualifying competitions. This introduces normative ability imperatives aligned with the "homo olympicus" concept. Mandatory training inscribes ableist norms into individuals, maintaining ableist divisions. This principle can both reinforce ableist imperatives and provide a space for normalization.

    In conclusion, the study underscores the complex and paradoxical nature of SO's claim to inclusion. It provides avenues for individuals with intellectual disabilities to access subjectification arenas aligned with dominant modes, yet maintains ableist divisions. The study proposes using SO as a laboratory for inclusive sport, challenging ableist divisions and fostering alternative subject formations.

Giese, M., Buchner, T., Mihajlovic, C., & Oldörp, F. (2022). The subject of special olympics - interrogating the inclusive potentials of a sport movement from an ableism-critical perspective. Sport in Society, 25(10), 2178-2192. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2022.2113061

Current Readings

 Hello Current Readers, 

Welcome to the Fall semester. It is 2023. I for one can hardly believe it. I wanted to upload an updated interactive syllabus for my ESPE 6643 Current Readings Seminar starting this October. I have learned this is called a fluent syllabus in some pedagogical circles, so if that is you, here is my fluent syllabus =D I am also including the module objective videos for the course. If you check me out on YouTube (link in the top right corner) you will see some of the readings summaries for practitioners. Have Fun! Maybe you will choose to join us in one of A-State's Sport Management or Sport Administration programs or related certificates one of these days. If you are a former student, hi (^o^)/ thank you for stoping by!

Best wishes, 

Dr. Benavides

Fluid syllabus

Module 1 objectives video:

Module 2 objectives video:

Module 3 objectives video:

Module 4 objectives video:

Module 5 objectives video:

Module 6 objectives video:

So you want to be a sport manager?

Sport management professionals are responsible for overseeing sport organizations, teams, and events. Their education includes business administration, marketing, finance, and law in the sport industry. Some of their main responsibilities are: 

1. Event planning, including logistics, scheduling, and marketing
2. Team and athlete management, including recruiting, training, and contract negotiating
3. Marketing strategy development and implementation to promote sport organizations and events
4. Finance and budget management for sport organizations and events
5. Working with legal and regulatory agencies with issues related to sports, such as contracts, liability, and intellectual property. 

Sport management is an interdisciplinary field. It combines elements of sport, business, and marketing, Professionals in this industry must have a solid understanding of the underlying elements in each field to be successful. We recommend our students initiate their practice as early as possible with volunteer activities and internships so they can practice the principles learned in the classroom and learn to troubleshoot in real life scenarios

Picture: Areal view of soccer stadium by Sergio Sauza

Blog post: (ChatGPT, personal communication, March 13, 2023)

Blog post assignment

Let's get to writing people! In some courses we do videos, in some course we write blog posts. How fun is that! Fist let's talk about the blog post elements: The topic, the headline, the hook, and the solution. 

Notice I said the topic, not the topics. You will not be discussing multiple things, and you will not lead the reader on a treasure hunt or enchanted quest to a mystical land. Be attractive, yet concise, and keep it focused on a singular idea. 

Then there is the title. This  will show up on a search engine before your audience makes a decision to click or not to click. It should be enticing, engaging, and truthful to the content of the post. 

Let us now discuss what bloggers refer to as the hook. That is exactly what it sounds like. You are hooking readers into reading more, such as the headline hooks them into clicking, the first sentence into reading the second sentence, the third sentence into reading the forth, and on and on. Usually this is done by presenting a problem or question to which you offer a solution. For example, you have an assignment to complete (the blog post assignment, that is a question you need answered or a problem you need a solution to): hook. You are reading this post for tips on how to complete your assignment. 

That is known as the solution. In the body of the blog post, you will offer your unique take on how to solve the problem or answer the question posed on the headline. In this case I offered the headline blog post assignment. Pretty straight forward if you ask me. That is intentional, as I am not trying to attract readers from all over the internet, I am intentionally directing my students where they need to go for assignment tips. In the body I gave you the four sections I am looking for in the assignment.  

To recap, stick to a single topic (from those covered in class), have an attractive title or headline, hook the audience, and offer a solution. Good luck everyone! Remember to contact your academic assistant with questions.

Here is a beautiful example of a sports blog: https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/2577579/unique-womens-leagues-upend-old-models-for-players-and-fans

Keep in mind these are professionals writing these blogs. Can you see how they focus on a single topic, they have a title, a hook, and a solution? More so the first one (non-sports related) than the second one (sports related) as the sport's one is more of a news blog post. It still has the principles in there, they are just more difficult to pinpoint as they have more content, interviews, stats, etc (which you do not need for your blog). You do need to cite your sources if you quote anybody or the literature, keep that in mind. 

Photo: Typewriter spells something worth reading by Suzy Hazelwood

Blog post assignment blog entry © Claudia B. Ambs.  

Here is a short and sweet example of a non-sport related communication blog entry: https://fullfocus.co/get-the-feedback-you-need-to-scale/

SCCT flowchart

Practitioner recommendation for sport communication professionals to respond to crises. Love this idea!

Reputational crises: Damages reputation without having organizational impact. 

Operational crises: Impacts operations. 

Situational crises communication theory - 4 steps: 

1) Id crisis type

2) Assess reputational threat

3) Choose response: Denial, diminish, or rebuild

4) Execute response

SCCT flowchart can help remove uncertainty and expedite the selection of a response strategy. Watch the quick video for context.

Feedback themes

 Hello Sport Communicators, 

The most common theme from the Stop, start, continue feedback sheet was you all liked the assignment examples and detailed feedback, but without the group stats bit. I hear you. I will continue this practice and remove the group statistics in an effort to help you thrive in the course. If this is not reflective of your learning style and you need to come talk to me feel free to stay after class and discuss the topics or assignments more in depth.  I am here to help you learn in the way that is best for you, come see me!

Free will

Concept Map: Free Will