The spectacle of the militarized body

Abstract

This work is part of an investigation about the particularities of the Physical Education during the Uruguayan civic-military dictatorship (1973-1985). In this period, the historically constituted solidarity between Physical education and the military realm is updated by the attempt to legitimate the government regime: showing it`s accomplishments and reaches by the appeal to great gymnastic spectacles taken place in stadiums, and the massive participation of students in athletic competitions. The rhetoric of body which is constructed is in comfortable relation with the military institution. In relation to some characteristics of primary and secondary education programs, the images shown in this work offer some clues to study the relation between what is taught in a Physical education class and its political use.