Gold Medals, Silver Medals, Bronze Medals, and Total Medals: An Analysis of Summer Paralympic Games from 1992 to 2016

Abstract

The Paralympic Games (PG) are considered one of the biggest events in the world, with increasing coverage by media and participation. The present study aimed to investigate the variation in the number of gold, silver, bronze, and totals medals in the Summer PG from 1992 to 2016. Data related to the results were extracted from the International Paralympic Committee to an SPSS database. Descriptive statistics and Friedman’s two-way analysis of variance by ranks were used to check the differences across medals in seven editions of the Summer PG, with the correspondent effect sizes. There was a peak in the maximum number of any type of medal between the 1996 and 2000 Summer PG and a decrease until 2008. After that, the number of any kind of medals has been increasing again. There were also significant differences with intermediate to large effect sizes when comparing more distant PG with more recent events. Several external factors can influence performance indicators (e.g., the number of medals) in a negative or positive way. An increase in the number of participants and a greater and better investment by the countries may explain part of our results. The preparation of an athlete must be based on a multidisciplinary team, and future organizing countries must take into account reports of previous events.

El deporte paralímpico en Chile: Resultados históricos de las participaciones en los Juegos Paralímpicos de Invierno y Verano

“…Ludwig Guttmann. En el año 1944, se incluyó la práctica deportiva en los procesos de rehabilitación, como un medio para rehabilitar el cuerpo y la mente, además de contribuir a la reinserción en la sociedad (Jacinto et al, 2022;Mauerberg-de Castro et al, 2016;Santos et al, 2022;Webborn & Van de Vliet, 2012). La participación de las PeSD en actividades deportivas se reconoce como un protocolo vital en su rehabilitación, es así como los profesionales de la salud han utilizado el deporte como una herramienta terapéutica (Blauwet & Willick, 2012;24(2), julio-diciembre, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.29035/rcaf.24.2.11 CAF 24(2) | 3 Mauerberg-de Castro et al, 2016;Santos et al, 2023;Tweedy et al, 2018;Wilson & Ramchandani, 2017).…”

Sports and Special Populations: Training Physiology in Health and Sports Performance

“…It was observed that several external factors could influence performance indicators, including an increase in the number of participants and greater and better government investment. Additionally, it was noted that preparation should be based on a multidisciplinary team, meaning that improvement in performance relies on knowledge and investment from governments [21].…”