Pedagogical challenges for teaching olympic sports in school Physical Education

Abstract

 This study investigated the main pedagogical challenges and the material and structural needs for implementing Olympic sports as part of Physical Education in schools. The research, which is descriptive and qualitative in nature, was conducted through semi-structured interviews with five Physical Education teachers from the municipal school system of Pelotas, all working with students in the final years of elementary school. The results indicate four main challenges: students’ lack of knowledge about Olympic sports; difficulty in motivating them to try new practices; teachers’ limited training; and a shortage of suitable materials and infrastructure for practice. It was found that, despite these difficulties, teachers demonstrate optimism about overcoming these obstacles, recognizing the innovative potential of the topic, as well as the richness they would provide for PE classes. The study also offered an opportunity for reflection on the learning of the topic throughout the university formation of future PE teachers.