Authors have hypothesized that athletes with disabilities exhibit differential levels of achievement motivation but have not allowed for firsthand information from the athletes themselves concerning why they actually participate in sport or how their own histories have influenced their decisions. The purpose of this study was to query the reasons six elite athletes with disabilities cited for participating in sport using interview questions based on the Sport Orientation Questionnaire. Thematic analysis indicated that participation provided a means of affirming competence and being considered a serious competitor, providing a common social outlet for individuals who are disabled, promoting fitness, and delaying the effects of disability. The ways in which sport participation can offer an ameliorative outlet for individuals with disabilities are discussed.
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