Elliee Simmonds Case Study: Sports, Society, and Culture

This case study examines Elliee Simmonds, a British Paralympian swimmer, and analyzes sports as a significant social phenomenon. It delves into the interactions between society, culture, and sports, highlighting how sports serves as a platform for achieving social goals and addressing various issues. The study explores Simmonds' achievements, including her role in the 2008 and 2012 Paralympics, and discusses how the Paralympics has positively changed attitudes toward disabled individuals. It further investigates the evolution of sports in a social context, the interaction between society, sports, and culture, and the impact of culture and values on society. The case study also addresses the global phenomenon of sports, its role in personal development, and the challenges faced by disabled athletes, such as inequalities and the high cost of equipment. The conclusion emphasizes sports' role in changing social perceptions and promoting equality, particularly through the Paralympic Games.

Athlete case study

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................3
Main body........................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Inequality in sports sector is a very common concept that has affected may Female
athletes in different manners. There are instances of fewer sponsors, lower rates, fewer contacts
and no media attention that is affecting the situation of female athlete. Present report is based on
Elliee simmonds. She has said that Paralympics has observe a positive change in attitude towards
devisable people (Mackintosh, 2021). She is a double gold medal winner who has been filling
her legacy but recently there have been some questions related to no improvement in the present
state of disabled adults across UK (Zhang, 2021). Present report is based on making a detailed
evaluation of the way sports can be seen as a significant social phenomena. There is analysis of
the interactions taking place between society, culture and sports. Further there is analysis of the
way sports can be seen as a global phenomenon,. There is interaction between cultural and sports
in the changing social context.
Main body
Elliee Simmons is a British Paralympian swimmer competition in S6 events. She has
been part of national attentions while she gas competed in 2008 summer Paralympics in Beijing.
Wining two gold medals at age of 13. She has been winning as the younger members of the
teams. in 2012 she has also selected for Britain squad at homes game in London (Palmer and
Dwyer, 2020). She has also won golds in London including setting up of world record in 400m
freestyle and gold medal in Erio Paralympics in year 2016 by setting up world record for 200 m.
Development of sports in social phenomenon
Sports has become a global social phenomenon, it is used as a platform for achievement of social
goals by solving many social issues. Sports activities are often a significant factor in ones
personal development and growth finding place in the immediate working environment. Sports
are classified as selective mass or non selective. From economic standpoint sports
Awareness of global context with relation to sports (Zhang, 2018). sports activities are
significant factor in open personal growth and finding place in the immediate environment.
Social events are the occurrence of events that are derived from interactions among individuals,
there are different changes that are part of specific or tangible occasions. Social institution are
the constitution of values, norms, relations, groups, roles and other establishment that are
organized as part of social structure. Sports evolves our of experience and observation that forms

basis of research and thinking for expressing determination and continuity as series of events.
There is observation of connections between institutions and sports units as a series of changes
on a social arsing from various individuals.
Interaction between society, sports and culture
The present view of disability at some of the times was a medicals scenario, in present situations
the protection of disability has been based on fear of differences. There has been some of
negative views that are influencing the way people are interacting with individual who are with
disabilities & affecting their own roles in society with involvement in sports (Dodo, van Niekerk
and Lyoka, 2020). In present scenario has been a shift towards promotion of social rather than a
medical perspective. The overall social view depicts that people with disabilities are sometimes
less limited with the vitiate and barriers out by society. The overall changes in the culture of
society has lead to people participating at all levels and sports is one such perspective. With time
individuals with some form of disabilities might get engaged in sport & showcase themselves in
events such as Paralympics. Paralympics receive more medals
Culture and values of a society is examining the impact on overall society. It is depicting the
way economics, politics, religion, gender. Youth is determining the relationship between social
mobility and social inequality. In past years number of women have increased in field of sports.
Culture is a concept that is depicting the abstractions and patters that is underlining the behaviour
and result, it is related with cognitive elements that are part of overall scientific experience, it
includes values, beliefs, norms and signs that are symbol of verbal and non verbal
communication (Courage, 2020). It has lead to enhancement and promotion of people dealing
with disability so that they are able to deal with stereotypes, intolerance or issues of
discrimination. Elliee Simmons is one of most recognized athletes who has won rewards in
world para swimming and heart in British public. She has been a role model for people suffering
with physical disabilities.
With the changing nature of society there has been enhancement of culture that is focussing on
development of
Sports as a global phenomenon:
sports has become a global social phenomenon that is sued for achievement of social goals and
solving other issues. It is associated with meeting the idiosyncrasies of a individual. It is made up
for all forms and means for people of all age groups. It is also associated with personal growth

and development for findings ones place in the mediate environment. The present view of
disability is related to medical one where individual may be seen ill or are suffering from a
particular condition or problems that is related to individual. Perception of disability is on fear of
difference that can be pretended to be normal. Elliee simmonds has said that there are some of
the negative views that is affecting the interaction of people with disabilities and impacting the
way people with some sort of physical disabilities are viewing the roles in aspect also that is part
of their involvement in sports. In present situation, there has been a shift towards promoting of a
social and not a medical perspective as part of disability (Thanachit and Trimek, 2021). The
social perspective is that people with some sort of disabilities may be less restricted with
impairments then the obstruction that are put by the society (Why some disabled people are
critical of the Paralympics, 2021).
Interaction between culture and sports
Simmonds has faced some of the issues related to physical disability as she is suffering from
genetic disorder that is because she is just four feet tall by she has able to strike soon. But
Paralympics has given her a opportunity to support hold of the core values that includes
determination, inspiration, equality & courage, the most recent illustration has been banning of
Russian athletes from hames after satte sponsored doping emerged. There have been also issues
associated with countries manipulation of the Paralympian categorization system that is planned
to ensure that people are able to compete against similar even of impairments.
Some of the issues that are faced by disabled athletes includes great emphasis on professionalism
that may lead to accelerative of inequalities among contrasting countries. Running blades that is
iconic symbols of contemporary games cost around 4000 pounds to 6000 pounds for a single
blade. Other bespoke sports wheel chairs are costing around thousands of pounds. Sometimes
disabled athletes from poor countries are struggling to compete (GAO, 2021)
Sports as a social phenomenon is working towards changing the social position of the disabled
people within the welfare of austerity that is a strong grounds that disabled people may face
some of the difficult situations. In Paralympics, as per Ellieee simmonds and David weir the
daily experiences of hate crimes or abuse are directed towards the way disabled people are
showing little evidence of being decline (Why some disabled people are critical of
the Paralympics, 2021).

As per simmonds the portrayal of positive life stories has complete transformed the way negative
view are turned into positive. Paralympics are seen as a important vehicle for the purpose of
changing the social perceptions as there are many positive stories that are playing a inspirational
part for people. With different Paralympians receiving more medals there has been motivation to
people with disability but possession the require talent to showcase their capabilities. They are
considered as potential “heroes” for other aspiring athletes.
Apart from this sports are also considered as a profile for political activism. It is adopted for
enhancing of societal change by continuing the process of highlighting the present situation of
inequalities that are faced by group with disabilities. The Paralympic games is providing a
opportunity to showcase athletes pinnacle of sport that is message that sports at advanced level
must be approachable to all people (The Paralympics is changing the way people perceive
disabilities, 2016). It has complete transformed the way now society is perceiving sports as not
just a sports activity but also as a way of giving opportunity to talented people who may be
suffering from some sort of physical disability but are working towards its dealing with the
societal attitudes.

CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above discussed aspects that sports is a part of social
phenomenon in society. Sports is designed as different activities that are part of promoting sports
as a social phenomenon. There are some values that are common to different sports regardless of
the values associated with the cultural and social environment. It is associated with the
Paralympic has changed the attitude of sporting arena. There has been development of society to
move towards a complete different perception where society can work towards helping athletes
in dealing with ongoing inequalities that are to be dealt by human suffering with disabilities.
Recently the Paralympic games have showcased and provide opportunities to athletes as a
pinnacle of sport that is a highest level sport activities accessible to people across world.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Courage, M., 2020. Behind the Handle: Exploring the Experience of Social Media Managers for
Professional Sports Teams.
Dodo, O.E., van Niekerk, R.L. and Lyoka, P.A., 2020. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
for Sports Development: A Stakeholder Strategic Diversity Management Model
Approach. International Journal of Sport & Society, 11(4).
GAO, S., 2021. Sports Trans-Cultural Communication between China and Russia under the Belt
and Road Initiative. The International Journal of the History of Sport, pp.1-17.
Mackintosh, C., 2021. Foundations of sport development. Routledge.
Palmer, C. and Dwyer, Z., 2020. Good running?: The rise of fitness philanthropy and sports-
based charity events. Leisure Sciences, 42(5-6), pp.609-623.
Thanachit, N.K. and Trimek, J., 2021. SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION OF
PUBLIC POLICY. Psychology and Education Journal, 58(2), pp.2053-2062.
tics participation and leadership (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pretoria).
Zhang, A., 2018, December. Research on the surrounding environment of large-scale sports
events. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 208, No. 1, p.
012057). IOP Publishing.
Zhang, L., 2021, February. Research on The Evaluation of Sports Events Based on The Concept
of Green Environmental Protection. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental
Science (Vol. 651, No. 4, p. 042028). IOP Publishing.
Online
Why some disabled people are critical of the Paralympics, 2021 [online], Available
through<https://theconversation.com/why-some-disabled-people-are-critical-of-the-paralympics-
65190>
Why some disabled people are critical of the Paralympics, 2021 [online], Available through<
Elliee Simmonds: Paralympics 'positive' for disabilityhttps://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-
23878645>
This article is more than 4 years old Elliee Simmonds: the focused winner with a smile for
everyone, 2021 [online], Available
through<https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/13/Elliee-simmonds-the-focused-winner-
with-a-smile-for-everyone>
The Paralympics is changing the way people perceive disabilities, 2016 [online], Available
through<https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/the-paralympics-is-changing-the-way-
people-perceive-disabilities-55720>