Definición de los objetivos y la estrategia funcional del plan de operaciones

Using an ethnographic vignette to present our research findings is intended to construct a vivid, ‘day in the life of The Village’ experience of this space and the socially constructed rights within it. The intention of the vignette is to afford the reader a sense of how The

Village space and the bodies of the athletes are co-produced. By intersecting the first

researchers bodily experience of The Village with that of the para sport athletes, coaches and other members of the athlete entourage, the vignette as written conveys the richness of the data and the nexus of the spatial elements and the human experience of these spaces alongside others within it. The materiality of The Village and the living conditions within this environment clearly impacted how para athletes experienced self in this space. Notably some para sport athletes indicated dismay, perceiving their role within the

Games as marginal and others celebrated the reality of being present in an integrated location of high-performance sport. In this section, informed by Lefebvre’s (1991) concept and framing of space and guided by a human rights framework informed by disability studies, we discuss several themes that resulted from thematic analysis and were woven through the narrative. The three specific themes are 1) language informs space, 2) hyper-visibility of the body, and finally 3) indoor vs outdoor spaces.

Considering these themes, we discuss the material objects of The Village and how conditions of life in this environment have impacted how para athletes construct themselves within this social world (Markula, 2019). In doing so we reflect on the

importance of plurality of understanding of the self-some troubled by their marginality this environment while others celebratory (Howe and Morris, 2009).

Often, examination of spatiality has prioritized the physical environment. In the case of accessible space, the construction of physical space that is welcoming to all, including persons with diverse access needs, with little need for ‘after the fact’ modifications. Borrowing language from Dickson et al. (2016), we have chosen to forefront some of the back-of-house challenges and opportunities that impacted the experience of disability and inclusivity within The Village. Language used to describe para sport and para sport athletes cultivates assumptions about inclusivity and integration. Awareness (or non- awareness) of para sport as demonstrated by some Games volunteers offers insight into potential assumptions that inform the construction and experience of physical and social spaces. Potentially, these assumptions impacted para sport athletes’ opportunities to more be more socially engaged in these spaces.

The language used by Sam, the CG administrator regarding the need ‘to put a fence around para sport athletes’ to ensure participation in these Games is particularly poignant. If ‘fencing’ is required to protect participation rights of para sport athletes at a

Commonwealth Games, how realistic is the commitment of the Commonwealth Games Federation to integrated sporting spaces? When financial resources are finite, the integrated model adopted by the CGF will be challenged to grow and evolve. It is problematic that a ‘fence’ is required to protect rightful participation of athletes in a locale that wishes to “champion(s) inclusivity and accessibility”. The metaphor of a ‘protective fence’ says much about the challenges of integrated sporting practices and serves as a linguistic reminder of the ‘push and pull’ of integration of high-performance sport (Misener & Molloy, 2018).

The experience of Robin, a retired Paralympic athlete with quadriplegia and Village staff represents a missed opportunity to embrace language that reflect the desired values espoused by the CGF in this space (Smith, 2017). The experience with the volunteer who was unaware of the existence of the para triathlon, one of only seven para sports in the competition schedule was also problematic. Language such as “great for the kiddies to

see people with a disability be so (pause) able” may have reflected biases of this single volunteer. However, my interaction with Village staff as well as that of the retired Paralympic athlete reflect assumptions around para sport, the integrated model for sport, and the pursuit of equity in sporting spaces. Using language that conveys non-awareness or indifference towards para sport were missed opportunities to inform the desired integrated, inclusivity of The Village space and the embodied experience of para sport body in this space (Lefebvre, 1991). We are fully cognizant and wish to acknowledge the tremendous contribution of personal time and effort of Games volunteers, who are so well intentioned and essential to the success of sporting events.

Hypervisibility of the impaired body in The Village was a second significant thematic finding of our research. Some para sport athletes spoke of or alluded to heightened awareness of their bodily difference in relationship with Village spaces some felt the experience of disability more profoundly because it was an integrated space. Spaces are without a doubt, body centric locations. At the poolside or at the beach, (almost) all bodies are ultra-visible. The neighbourhood pools in The Village were no different. These spaces magnified the para sport athletes’ experience of bodily difference and the

associated stigma of non-normative bodies. The first author’s reflexive notes reflected episodic experiences of otherness and bodily inadequacy in The Village and poolside respectively. As a researcher in contrast with her usual Games-role as a physiotherapist, she repeatedly experienced a visceral sense of being an outsider. Without a uniform to proclaim her nationhood or a delegation to claim membership, the relationship with The

Village space was altered. She felt like she stood out in the crowd of those with real

membership in The Village. Though not an athlete, the first author’s body conforms to the hegemony of whiteness and able-bodiedness. For people and para sport athletes whose bodies cannot easily appear or perform according normative standards of able-bodied bodies, the experience of hyper-visibility in social spaces is in fact, the norm (Murphy, 1987). An embodied experience of self-consciousness and some degree of bodily shame was expressed by some para sport athletes during interviews in some spaces; at the poolside, in the cafeteria, walking the streets of The Village. Staring at the impaired body in these spaces was normalized by some athletes. Others spoke of greater bodily ease and comradery with competitors in non-integrated locations of sport.

The neighbourhood pools in The Village were intended as spaces of relaxation, of

playfulness, and for athlete socialization. However, the research confirmed that para sport athletes felt hyper-visible in these locales and an enhanced sense of being The Other. The ‘push and pull’ of integrated high-performance sport (Misener & Molloy, 2017) comes at a price. The cost of a shared ‘home’ at these Games included a thick skin and a greater tolerance for standing out in the crowd. Take a moment and re-imagine The Village space. A space where bodily variation is neither hidden nor magnified. Where differences in physical form and function are foreseen and incorporated upfront. Motion and voice activated doors, dining hall tables with and without chairs, service counters at multiple heights, graded curbs, auditory cues and adequate time to navigate an intersection. A locale where “products and environments (are) to be usable by all people, to the greatest expect possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design” (Hums, Schmidt, Novak & Wolff, 2016, p. 40). Smith (2017) argued that even temporary spaces, like an Athletes’ Village hold potentialities to perpetuate specific and desirable social values. To feel at ‘home’ in The Village and to participate in the many opportunities of Village life, the bodily relationship of para sport athletes with The Village space needed to top the list of priorities for the host committee, in terms of vision and strategic planning

(McGillivray et al, 2017; Dickson et al, 2016; MacIntosh & Nicol, 2012). Perhaps then the socio-spatial architecture of locales like neighbourhood pools would have been perceived as both socially and physically inclusive.

Alex’s comment regarding ‘invisible lines,’ lines that enhance the invisibility of para sport athletes in The Village was intriguing. After all, according to Alex, this Village was more “accessible than the Village in London” (2012 Paralympic Games). Data analysis indicated that para sport athletes were seen less often occupying inside social spaces. Consequently, these athletes were more often observed in outdoor spaces. These athletes were observed sprawled on the grass, gathered at small tables at casual dining, relaxing proximate to The Molar in The Village Green, socializing, eating ice cream, playing chess, and making music around the pianos. Athletes with visible impairments were rarely observed in substantial numbers in the Dining Hall (DH), despite numerous visits by the first author and much time dedicated to observation in this space. This absence could be attributed to classification decisions for these Games, such that events for

athletes with more obvious impairment were not included in the competition. Second only to an athlete’s bed, the DH is the most frequented Village location for any athlete. Eating, socializing, seeking escape from shared living space in the DH is an integral part of everyday Village life. As well, The Athlete Lounge which operated as pseudo office space for the first author, teemed with athletes from mid-day to early evening. The para sport athlete was conspicuous by her/his absence in this very comfortable, very social, multi-purpose indoor space.

The dynamic between outside social spaces and para sport bodies appeared to be one of ease and welcome, in contrast with inside spaces. Perhaps the intersection of the impaired body and outside spaces in The Village created a lived experience of greater social as well as physical accessibility. Our findings illustrated that the embodied experience of exterior spaces apart from the neighbourhood pools, minimized the visibility of bodily impairment. Analysis of the data indicated that para sport athletes gravitated to these spaces. Perhaps the values of inclusivity and accessibility were embodied and realized in these spaces (Smith, 2017). Perhaps too the bodies of para sport athletes were

instrumental in the shaping of these outdoor spaces. Lefebvre (1991) emphasized the body’s role in the construction of social spaces, and in this location, the creation of socio- spatiality that enhanced participation in Village life, and access to their rights as citizens of The Village.

As the Games neared completion, the increased number of para sport athletes in social spaces, both inside and outside, may relate to the end of the competition schedule. As with Dickson et al. (2016), modifications to The Village space regarding access needs may have been addressed at this point in the Games, hence improving the para sport athletes’ ability to engage with The Village. However, this finding may also reflect an evolving, dynamic relationship between Village space and para sport bodies, and the construction of spatiality that supported more substantial participation in Village life (Lefebvre, 1991). In doing so, there is potential for the embodied experience of these spaces to shape the space itself, a space that reflects the desired values of accessibility and integration.

For the purposes of the research, it would have been optimal for the first author to have lived in The Village, immersed in Village life and like the athletes, experience The

Village as ‘home.’ Going forward living alongside the athletes and sharing living quarters

and daily meals, being present late in the night and early in the day, will generate more and diverse opportunities to explore the experience and perspective of the para sport athletes with enhanced familiarity. Because of the richness of the data collected during this project, we anticipate conducting future research in sporting spaces of both integrated and non-integrated sporting events, utilizing similar ethnographic methodology to

compare the para sport athlete’s experience of the spatiality of the unique sporting space of The Village.