Abstract

Para-cycling (or adapted cycling) is one of the first integrated and adapted sports modalities in the international federation of their respective sport. This sport is a good example when studying the integration processes in single sport federations. The aim of the study is to analyse the degree of implementation of these processes in international cycling and identify specific indicators that characterize it. The study was conducted at the Para-cycling World Championships en route to Baie-Comeau (Canada, 2010). 13 countries participated. An ad hoc questionnaire containing 20 questions was provided to a qualified representative of each dispatch, who assessed the areas of management, needs, and opinions on integration processes in cycling in their countries. In 61.5% of the countries studied it was the national cycling federation who managed adapted cycling, but only 30% of them have all the powers transferred to single sport federations. Hearing and intellectual disabilities were the least integrated disabilities. The most valued aspects of the process were the determination of specific regulations, training of sport coaches, and the existence of an institution that is the guardian of processes and specific financial support. The integration process was evaluated very positively by the 87.5% of respondents: it even seems to lead to an increase in the number of licenses and sports performance. These indicators can be extrapolated to other sports and might be helpful in promoting integration processes in our country.