India at Paralympics 2024 : Motivation
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In the first part of our Paralympics series, we reflected on India at the Paris Paralympic Games and its revelation of resilience – the ability to bounce back from setbacks. As much as resilience helps athletes overcome their challenges, motivation also acts as a fuel to keep pushing forward consistently. It is the drive that keeps them going to reach their highest potential. As Canada’s Para-canoeist Brianna Hennessy
has profoundly put:
“The Paralympics means so much more because everyone here has a million reasons to give up, and we’ve all chosen to just go on… It’s a bigger picture than the medals, it’s a bigger picture than our country’s flag. It’s all of us coming together on that world stage and representing something greater than ourselves.” – Brianna Hennessy (Para-canoeist)
This quote strongly expresses the motivation of para-athletes and how it’s not just about personal or national glory but also about representing a shared human spirit that inspires millions. It is the drive that keeps them going beyond the limits set by others, and even at times, the limits set by themselves. In this blog, let’s explore the drive that keeps them going – what we commonly call ‘Motivation’.
Motivation is the drive to participate and persist in a particular activity. It is a factor that can be improved and developed through various techniques and strategies. However, it becomes important to identify the root source of motivation for any athlete. Playing a sport to win medals, to win scholarships, to stay fit, to enjoy the sporting experience are some of the sources of motivation for athletes. Like any other athlete,
our Indian para-athletes also are motivated by a variety of factors. Mariyappan Thangavelu, who recently won a bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024 has often spoken about how he could support his family financially through para-sports. Raised in poverty, his childhood experiences motivated him to uplift his family despite the limited sources. His mother, a vegetable seller, has been his source of motivation and inspiration.
Manasi Joshi, who lost her leg in 2011 due to a road accident. During her rehabilitation period, she found her passion for badminton. She has often spoken about breaking barriers with regards to how society views people with disabilities. She believes that accepting challenges and having a strong self-belief are some of the motivating factors that drive her to work for inclusivity and empowerment through sport.
Bringing a change in societal views by redefining what it means to live with a disability, Manasi has a deeper motivational source in her sporting career.
Navdeep Singh who narrowly missed out the podium finish at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020, made a strong comeback by winning a Gold at the Paris Games.
Although he was facing challenges, his experience in Tokyo became a turning point as well as a fueling factor to prove his true potential. He channeled his setbacks into motivation to achieve greater heights.
Thus, our para-athletes have a purpose that fuels their motivation to achieve their goals. Drawing inspiration from them, let’s explore how athletes can work on their motivation levels by using certain techniques and strategies :
● Identify your purpose – Having a purpose that is beyond winning medals or recognition helps sustain motivation. This could be a deeper purpose such as contributing to your country’s success, overcoming societal barriers etc. During tough times, such deep purposes help athletes remain focused and
motivated.
● Set clear, achievable goals – Break down your long-term goals into smaller, manageable goals which helps create a sense of accomplishment thereby improving your motivation levels.
● Review your progress – Maintain a log of your daily tasks and track your progress throughout. This can be a great motivator along with giving you a sense of fulfillment.
● Use Mental Imagery – Visualizing helps block your distractions and stay focused on your performance thereby motivating you to give your best.
● Feedback – Ask for feedback from your coaches and support staff members. This will help you get a better understanding of how much you have progressed and where your efforts need to be exerted.
Thus, by identifying your purpose, setting achievable goals, reviewing progress, utilizing mental imagery, and seeking feedback, athletes can cultivate motivation and reach their potential. The remarkable stories of our para-athletes remind us that motivation is an essential factor for success.
As we have explored resilience and motivation pertaining to Paris Paralympics 2024, we will tune into more such mental factors. Keep following our blog series “India at Paralympics 2024” for more updates.
Kiran Salunkhe, Sports Psychologist, Mindsports