Introduction Whether an athlete reaches the highest level in any discipline will be determined by many factors. In the performance of Paralympic athletes, it is of paramount importance to understand the sporting context (Blauwt and Lezzoni, 2014) as they face numerous social and environmental barriers (Díaz et al., 2019) that limit the sporting participation of people with disabilities (Díaz et al., 2019). Method The sample consists of 28 Spanish Paralympic women who have participated and won at least one medal in a Paralympic Games held in the 21st century (Sydney 2000, Athens 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020). This is a qualitative research as the interview was used as an instrument for the collection and analysis of information. Results Among the results referring to the sporting context, most of the sportswomen interviewed were influenced by a family member or friend, or by medical recommendation in order to gain confidence and independence due to their disability. Regarding the social context, the sportswomen interviewed acknowledged the great help they received from their families during the training process, as well as from their friends, but to a lesser extent. On the other hand, they emphasized that at no time did their family and friends put any kind of pressure on them. Conclusions Most of them highlighted the figure of the coaches because of the constant motivation they receive from them. However, some of the women interviewed stated that the coaches, in some cases, gave them stress and anxiety. On the other hand, the closest social environment (family and friends) is essential during the training stages for the athletes as they exert a strong influence. In addition, there is the psychological support that they have given them in the hardest stages, especially in high performance.
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