Physical Education teachers and Olympic Education: perceptions and experiences

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the perception and appropriations on Olympic Education by Physical Education teachers Viçosa, Minas Gerais. As specific objectives, it was intended to identify the presence/absence of Olympic Education and/or its related contents in the initial training of current Physical Education teachers; discuss their perception and appropriations of Olympic Education and/or its related contents; to identify the uses of Olympic Education in the pedagogical practice of Physical Education teachers. This is a qualitative research. For data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted with Physical Education teachers in the city of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, through the “Google Meet” platform. Ten teachers participated in this study. As a result, it was found that Olympic Education was absent in the initial training of these teachers, that is, during the entire graduation process, these Physical Education teachers did not have in-depth contact with the themes of the Olympic Movement, Olympic Education and Olympic Games. Teachers, although they eventually use the Olympic sports context and modalities in their classes, do not attribute didactic-pedagogical treatment or systematize these contents in their pedagogical practices. Teachers report difficulties in teaching human and social values related to sport, even recognizing the importance and potential of this content in the Olympic context.