?APART, BUT TOGETHER?: LIVED EXPERIENCES ONA GYMNASTIC FOR ALL FESTIVAL DURING PANDEMIC TIMES

Covid-19 pandemic has brought changes in different spheres of the society around the world. In sport, besides the training routine, an important aspect was impacted during this period, sports events. Based on the phenomenological theory of Merleau-Ponty, the aim of this study was to describe lived experiences in a Gymnastics for All festival, held remotely. We adhere to the phenomenological analysis using triangulation of documentary data, field notes and focus groups within gymnasts that raised two themes: a) Apart, but together and b) Virtuality ???modus operandi???. Although remote, the perception of the experience listed typical feelings and sensations of sports and the value of events, such as the aesthetic attitude, the search for (self) overcoming, recognition and social belonging.