Summary: The article presents the results of studies of the structure of motivation of sports activities of athletes of high qualification with mental and physical development disorders. The dominant motivational tendencies of athletes with visual and the musculoskeletal system impairments, which are based on the need of material prosperity and social recognition, are revealed. It was determined that in a group of highly skilled athletes with visual impairments the motivation to succeed dominates, whereas a motivational tendency of failure avoiding dominated in the group of elite athletes with disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Key words: motivation of sports activities, athletes with mental and physical development impairments, paralympic sports.