Article

October 02, 2026

The public’s perception of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee and the consumption of digital Paralympic content

Public Perception of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee and the Consumption of Digital Paralympic Content

Evelyn Silva Sousa; Leonardo Carlim

DOI: 10.22167/2675-6528-202602874

Article derived from a Course Conclusion Work (TCC), with content based on the student’s original work and adapted to the editorial format of the E&S Magazine with the support of the ResumeAI tool, an artificial intelligence solution developed by Instituto Pecege for textual synthesis and organization.

Summary

Digital sports marketing has consolidated itself as an essential tool for promoting institutions and disciplines, but the media visibility of Paralympic sport still represents a challenge, despite the movement’s growth. The pursuit of greater reach aims to impact society in changing perceptions about disability, encouraging representation and participation. The study aimed to identify the public’s perception of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) and the consumption of Paralympic content in the digital environment. To this end, a descriptive, quantitative research was conducted with 30 respondents. Data collection occurred between January 28 and February 8, 2026, through a structured online questionnaire. The results revealed high institutional recognition of the CPB among respondents, but a perception of low visibility of the Paralympic Games. It was found that social media are the main means of content consumption, with greater interest among the male and younger public. The need for tools to strengthen the CPB’s institutional presence and expand public access to information was discussed. It was concluded that understanding this context is fundamental for the debate on building visibility, recognition, and public engagement with the Paralympic movement, suggesting investment in continuous digital communication strategies and valuing athletes’ narratives.

Keywords: Digital environment; Branding; Paralympic sport; Sports marketing; Paralympic movement.

1. Introduction

Marketing, in its essence, plays a fundamental role in the dynamics of organizations and is intrinsically present in various daily activities, manifesting itself in both planned and spontaneous ways. The expansion of digital social media has intensified this presence, making the positioning of brands and products in this environment increasingly relevant. The practice of marketing is indispensable for the success of any initiative, although the concept of “good marketing” is dynamic, continuously adapting to market transformations and consumer behavior (Kotler and Keller, 2012).

For marketing strategies to be assertive, it is crucial that the process be carefully planned and executed, using specific tools and techniques. Creativity must be allied with the science of metrics, methodologies, and techniques to achieve significant results. In this sense, a deep understanding of consumer behavior is essential for the development of effective strategies, allowing for the identification of needs and the offering of value, building lasting relationships, and strengthening market presence (Kotler and Keller, 2012).

Branding emerges as one of the central pillars of contemporary marketing. Through strategic brand management, organizations build meaning, differentiation, and symbolic value before the public (Aaker, 1998). Branding is directly linked to the creation of positive associations in the consumer’s mind, contributing to loyalty and the strengthening of the institutional image. Analyzing public perception is, therefore, relevant for the messages transmitted, whether in digital or print social media, to reinforce brand identity and consolidate its market positioning (Keller, 2013). Marketing communication, in turn, must be an extension of the branding strategy, ensuring the alignment of all actions with the organization’s values and purposes (Kapferer, 2012).

Contemporary marketing has been driven by digital technologies and the growing integration of data, artificial intelligence, and consumer experience (Kotler et al., 2021). The digital environment has expanded the possibilities for interaction between organizations and consumers, enabling more segmented, interactive, and data-driven communication strategies (Kingsnorth, 2022). In the sports context, marketing plays a strategic role in building relationships between organizations, athletes, and fans, strengthening the brand and increasing public engagement (Shank and Lyberger, 2022). Brand strengthening is central to creating value and competitive advantage, especially in digital environments, where building meaning and consumer relationships is even more relevant (Keller and Swaminathan, 2020).

The Paralympic Movement has demonstrated significant growth in media reach, audience, and digital engagement. The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, for example, recorded a cumulative global audience of approximately 4.25 billion viewers (International Paralympic Committee, 2021). The Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games reached 2.1 billion viewers, and the International Paralympic Committee’s social media channels surpassed 1 billion video views in 2022 (International Paralympic Committee, 2023). Despite this notable advancement, studies on journalistic coverage of Paralympic sport in Brazil reveal limitations in the volume and distribution of media exposure (Souza et al., 2023), highlighting the need for more effective communication and marketing strategies to increase its visibility and strengthen audience connection.

In Brazil, the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) is the main representative of the movement, a non-profit institution founded in 1995, responsible for directing and coordinating the national Paralympic sports segment (Brazilian Paralympic Committee, 2025b). The country achieved its best campaign in the history of the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, ranking fifth in the overall medal table (Brazilian Paralympic Committee, 2024a). Given this scenario of growth and challenges, it becomes relevant to investigate the level of knowledge of the institution by the community and the general public. The effort to increase the reach of Paralympic sports impacts society by changing the perception of disability, encouraging inclusion, and promoting high performance. Understanding the public’s perception of the Paralympic movement is, therefore, fundamental to identifying trends, behaviors, and factors that can influence its visibility and strengthening in the Brazilian context, contributing to the debate on building visibility, institutional recognition, and public engagement with the Paralympic movement. Therefore, the objective of this work was to identify the public’s perception of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, as well as the consumption of Paralympic content in the digital environment.

2. Material and Methods

The present work adopted a descriptive research approach, of a quantitative nature, as a methodological foundation to investigate the perception and knowledge level of the public in relation to the Brazilian Paralympic Committee. Data collection was carried out through a field survey of the

study

, using a structured questionnaire. This instrument was applied in a digital environment, through the Google Forms platform, in the period from January 28 to February 8, 2026.

Descriptive research was employed to present and characterize aspects of a given population or phenomenon, allowing the identification of perceptions, behaviors, and possible relationships between the investigated variables (Gil, 2008). This approach was considered adequate for the objective of understanding the public’s perception of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee and the consumption of Paralympic content in the digital environment.

The method

study

, widely used in marketing and consumer behavior studies, enabled the systematic collection of data directly from participants. This instrument is relevant for understanding how different audiences perceive brands, institutions, and content in the social and media environment (Malhotra, 2019). The use of structured questionnaires ensured the standardization of responses, facilitating the organization and analysis of the obtained data (Souza et al., 2021).

The sample consisted of 30 respondents and was characterized as non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Participants were selected based on accessibility and availability to answer the questionnaire. Individuals linked or not to the sports universe were considered, with the objective of capturing general perceptions, knowledge level, and expectations related to the Brazilian Paralympic Committee and the Paralympic movement.

For the construction of the questionnaire, it was based on three main theoretical axes: audience segmentation and consumer behavior (Kotler and Keller, 2018), brand perception and image (Aaker, 1998), and sports marketing (Mullin et al., 2014). These references guided the elaboration of the questions, covering the profile of the respondents, media consumption, the institutional perception of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, and the level of engagement with Paralympic sports.

Regarding ethical considerations, participants’ anonymity was guaranteed, so that no individual information could identify them. The collected data were used exclusively for academic purposes, ensuring protection against any type of exposure or risk, whether moral, professional, or institutional. This procedure aimed to preserve the privacy and integrity of those involved in the research.

After collection, the obtained data were organized and submitted to analysis. The analysis process sought to understand aspects related to the institutional recognition of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, the consumption of Paralympic content, and the perception of visibility of Paralympic sport. From the sample, an analysis of public perception was developed to identify trends and opportunities.

3. Results and Discussion

The analysis of the collected data allowed for the identification of relevant patterns and insights regarding the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) and the consumption of Paralympic content in the digital environment, as proposed by the study’s objective. Initially, it was observed that the Paralympic movement, which originated in the 1940s with the initiatives of physician Ludwig Guttmann for the rehabilitation of soldiers, evolved from therapeutic practices to a global sporting phenomenon (Mello and Winckler, 2012; International Paralympic Committee, 2024). This historical trajectory is fundamental to understanding the social and cultural relevance that Paralympic sport has acquired, deconstructing stigmas and promoting narratives of overcoming and citizenship, as pointed out by DePauw and Gavron (2005).

The Brazilian Paralympic Committee, founded in 1995, emerges as the main institution responsible for directing and coordinating Paralympic sports in the country. Its work goes beyond sports management, encompassing the promotion of inclusion and the development of high-performance athletes. Brazil has achieved historic results, such as 5th place in the overall medal ranking at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and 1st place at the World Athletics Championships in New Delhi in 2025 (Brazilian Paralympic Committee, 2024a; Brazilian Paralympic Committee, 2025c). These competitive milestones reinforce the CPB’s role as an agent of social transformation and a pillar for sporting excellence, highlighting the importance of its institutional image.

The descriptive research, with a quantitative approach, revealed that the sample was predominantly composed of female individuals, representing 63.3% of the respondents, with a prevailing age range between 28 and 42 years (53.3%). In terms of education, the majority had postgraduate degrees (36.7%) or complete higher education (26.7%). It is relevant to note that 83.3% of the participants declared not having a disability and 76.7% did not have a direct link with the Paralympic movement. This sample profile suggests that the study managed to capture the perception of an audience external to the direct niche of Paralympic sports, which is crucial for evaluating the institution’s visibility and recognition in a broader societal context.

When analyzing interest in Paralympic sport in relation to gender, a notable difference was observed. Among female respondents, the highest concentration (30%) indicated low interest, while 23.3% showed high interest and 10% moderate interest. On the other hand, among male respondents, high interest predominated, with 26.7%, and 10% indicated low interest, with no moderate interest recorded. This data suggests that the male audience in the sample presented a higher level of engagement with Paralympic content, but the significant presence of women with interest demonstrates considerable potential for expanding female engagement through more targeted communication and sports marketing strategies, as discussed by Mullin et al. (2014) on the influence of media exposure.

Regarding the types of Paralympic content considered most interesting by respondents, 33.3% indicated a preference for results and competitions. Following this, with 23.3% each, athlete stories and educational content on inclusion and Paralympic sport stood out. Competition behind-the-scenes attracted 16.7% of respondents, and other types of content accounted for 3.3%. This distribution of interest reinforces the importance of communication strategies that value both the competitive and high-performance aspect, as well as human narratives and the educational potential of Paralympic sport. Highlighting athletes’ journeys and competition behind-the-scenes can strengthen audience connection, as suggested by Shank and Lyberger (2022) when discussing relationship building in sports marketing.

The institutional recognition of CPB was high among respondents, regardless of educational level. It was found that 100% of participants with a complete high school education, incomplete higher education, and complete elementary education stated they had heard of the institution. Among those with a complete higher education, 87.5% knew of CPB, while 12.5% did not. For respondents with postgraduate education, approximately 90.9% stated they knew of CPB, and 9.1% indicated they did not. These results indicate that, although CPB has significant recognition, there is still room to expand the dissemination of institutional information and deepen the understanding of its role and actions, which is fundamental for strengthening the brand, according to the branding principles of Aaker (1998) and Keller (2013).

The analysis of the intersection between age and consumption of Paralympic content revealed that younger participants in the sample demonstrate greater proximity to this type of content. This finding can be attributed to the greater familiarity of younger generations with the digital environment, which, according to Kotler et al. (2021), enables more direct and frequent interactions between organizations and consumers. This trend underscores the relevance of digital communication strategies segmented for younger audiences, aiming to broaden reach and engagement with Paralympic sport, utilizing the platforms where these groups are most present.

The frequency of use of digital social media by respondents was expressive, with 83.3% stating they use them every day or several times a day, and 10% once a day. This behavior indicates that the analyzed audience is inserted in a digitized environment, where institutional communication depends heavily on strategies of presence and relevance on digital platforms. This finding is aligned with the transition to consumer-centric digital marketing, in which social media play a central role in relationship building, as described by Kotler et al. (2017). The audience’s high connectivity reinforces the need for CPB to continuously invest in its digital presence.

Social media were identified as the main medium for consuming sports-related content, with 70% of respondents indicating them as their most used source. News websites were mentioned by 30%, television by 26.7%, and newspapers by 6.7%. This data highlights the centrality of social media as a strategic channel for disseminating information and engaging with Paralympic sports. The predominance of social media as a source of sports content underscores the need for the CPB to concentrate its communication efforts on these platforms, adapting to the public’s consumption habits.

Among the most used social media by respondents, Instagram stood out with 86.7%, followed by YouTube (56.7%), X (Twitter) with 43.3%, TikTok with 36.7%, Facebook with 20%, and Bluesky with 3.3%. The predominance of Instagram can be associated with its visual and dynamic characteristics, which facilitate content sharing, while YouTube consolidates itself for videos and more in-depth content. These data are crucial for the CPB to direct its digital communication strategies, prioritizing the platforms where its target audience is most active and engaged, maximizing the impact of its campaigns, as suggested by Kaplan and Haenlein (2010) on the active role of users in social media.

The intersection between the use of social media and the recognition of the CPB showed that respondents who use these platforms presented greater familiarity with the institution. This result reinforces the role of digital social media as effective channels for the dissemination and strengthening of the institutional brand in the context of Paralympic sport. The consistency and relevance of the content published on these platforms are determining factors for engagement, as pointed out by Tuten and Solomon (2017). The CPB’s robust digital presence is, therefore, a vector for expanding its visibility and connection with the public, taking advantage of the high internet access in Brazilian households (IBGE, 2023).

Despite the high recognition of the CPB, the perception of the visibility of the Paralympic Games in Brazil is low. Only 6.7% of respondents agreed that the event receives the necessary visibility. This perception is supported by studies on journalistic coverage of Paralympic sports in Brazil, which point to limitations in the volume and distribution of media exposure (Souza et al., 2023). The coverage of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Brazilian open television was limited, with greater emphasis on pay-TV, which reinforces the difference in projection compared to the Olympic Games (Brazilian Paralympic Committee, 2025a). This disparity in media visibility directly impacts the engagement potential and popularization of the Paralympic movement.

A descriptive association was observed between the perception of visibility of Paralympic sport and the public’s interest in following it. The greater the perception of visibility, the greater the interest. Furthermore, 70% of respondents stated that, to increase interest and engagement in the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, live broadcasts on platforms accessible to the public are important. This demand for accessibility and greater coverage reinforces the need for the CPB to invest in strategies that ensure the availability of content on wide-reaching channels, overcoming the limitations of open television and bringing the public closer to the institution, given the relevance of television as a means of accessing information in Brazil (IBGE, 2023).

A positive strategic element identified in the research was the recognition of Brazil as a Paralympic powerhouse, directly associated with the competitive performance of its athletes. This factor demonstrates that sport, its results, and the athletes’ achievements constitute a relevant asset, capable of generating interest and motivation for following content related to the Paralympic movement. Valuing athletes’ journeys, behind-the-scenes of competitions, and the production of narrative content can significantly contribute to broadening interest and strengthening the public’s connection with Paralympic sport, according to the perspective of Mullin et al. (2014) on building engaging narratives and identifying with athletes.

Based on the results and identified insights, the study suggests a set of strategic recommendations for the Brazilian Paralympic Committee. To strengthen digital presence, it is recommended to expand the production and dissemination of content about Paralympic sports on social media, including behind-the-scenes training, athlete stories, and educational content about the modalities. Using athletes as influencers, valuing their image as brand and movement ambassadors, through video series and campaigns that share their journeys and achievements, is a promising strategy.

The production of educational content about the Paralympic movement, with explanatory posts, short videos, or infographics about modalities and curiosities, can deepen public knowledge. Public engagement on social media should be encouraged through digital interactions, such as polls, quizzes, or challenges related to Paralympic sports. Leveraging major sporting events, with intensified communication during periods of greater visibility, such as the Paralympic Games, through real-time coverage and engagement campaigns, is fundamental to reinforcing the brand.

Finally, forming partnerships with sports content creators and digital media outlets can broaden the communication reach, with the production of collaborative content that addresses sports or inclusion. These strategies, together, aim to transform the CPB’s institutional recognition into greater visibility, continuous engagement, and a deeper bond with the institution, especially in the cycle of the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. Understanding this context is fundamental for the debate on building visibility, recognition, and audience engagement with the Paralympic movement, suggesting investment in continuous digital communication strategies and valuing athletes’ narratives, directly responding to the objective of identifying audience perception and content consumption in the digital environment.

4. Conclusion

The present study aimed to identify the public’s perception of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee and the consumption of Paralympic content in the digital environment. High institutional recognition of the CPB was found among respondents, indicating considerable familiarity with the organization. However, a perception of low visibility of the Paralympic Games in Brazil was observed, suggesting a persistent challenge in expanding the media reach of the movement. Social media emerged as the primary means of consuming sports content, with Instagram and YouTube standing out, and a greater interest in Paralympic sports was found among the male and younger audiences. Respondents showed a preference for content related to results and competitions, as well as athlete stories and educational materials on inclusion. The study’s main contribution lies in understanding this scenario, which is fundamental for the debate on building visibility, recognition, and public engagement with the Paralympic movement, offering subsidies for improving the CPB’s communication and marketing strategies.

Despite the relevant findings, the study presented limitations due to the relatively small sample size and data collection via online questionnaire, which may restrict the generalization of the results. Based on the identified perceptions, it is recommended that the Brazilian Paralympic Committee invest in continuous digital communication strategies, valuing athletes’ narratives and the production of educational and behind-the-scenes content. It is also suggested to leverage major sporting events and form partnerships with content creators to broaden reach. For future studies, it is recommended to increase the sample size and explore complementary methodologies, such as interviews and focus groups, in order to deepen the understanding of the public’s perception and the effectiveness of the CPB’s communication strategies.

Bibliographic References

Aaker, D.A. 1998. Construindo marcas fortes. Porto Alegre: Bookman.

International Paralympic Committee. 2021. Tokyo 2020 Paralympics set to break all broadcast viewing records. Disponível em: https://www.paralympic.org/news/tokyo-2020-paralympics-set-break

Kapferer, J.-N. 2012. The new strategic brand management: advanced insights and strategic thinking. 5.ed. London: Kogan Page.

Keller, K.L. 2013. Strategic brand management: building, measuring, and managing brand equity. 4.ed. Harlow: Pearson Education.

Keller, K.L.; Swaminathan, V. 2020. Strategic brand management. 5.ed. Harlow: Pearson.

Kingsnorth, S. 2022. Digital marketing strategy. 3.ed. London: Kogan Page.

Kotler, P.; Kartajaya, H.; Setiawan, I. 2021. Marketing 5.0: technology for humanity. Hoboken: Wiley.

Kotler, P.; Keller, K.L. 2012. Administração de marketing. 14.ed. São Paulo: Pearson Education do Brasil.

Shank, M.D.; Lyberger, M.R. 2022. Sport marketing: a strategic perspective. 6.ed. New York: Routledge.

Article originating from the Final Course Work of the Specialization in Marketing of the MBA USP/Esalq

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