Paralympic Sports to Learn about

[HmmThinkingAboutIt]

Ok this is a whole different world to me.

I'm looking through the schedule for tomorrow and seeing a million and one different classes and some sports I've never heard of. So I guess we are going to need some explanations...

Soooo, I was thinking of making this a thread of explanations (either according to MN wisdom or actual proper explanations), wonder and expressions of love for a new sport you've never heard of before or how different/similar the Paralympic versions is to the able bodied version.

Tell us why you are loving it, and why it should be on tv every week type thing...

For starters, I'm seeing there's something called 'Goalball'... Anyone got any idea what is? Please tell me its better than Handball.

Good idea!
I have tickets for Goalball, it's played by blind and partially sighted athletes, blindfolded for parity and goals are scored using a ball that has a bell inside it. How they know where the goals are I will find out on Monday!!! I think it's seated like sitting volleyball but not sure.

I think Boccia is bowls, but people are sitting down. I guess goal ball is a kind of football.

All the different classes will be fun. I think they vary according to disability. ie. blind/partially sighted, disabled below/above the waist, etc

I saw something about that on tv/ The goalie is sighted and is calling out directions to the rest of the team. They also featured a blind person who could tell by listening who had the ball, and where is was being kicked to.

Goalball guide. Theres loads of info on the C4 site about every sport

Boccia is a wheelchair sport, yes like bowls. Originally played only by those with cerebal palsy.

Thanks for the Goalball link. Found out that we will be watching China v Denmark in one match, China won gold in 2008 and Denmark on 2004. Should be a good introduction!!

Well, have just discovered that there is NO goalie in goalball!! 3 players each side so no one is sighted and a long net each end that they all defend. Ball with bell is bowled from one end to the other and players fling themselves in direction of the ring to save a goal. Very entertaining!

'direction of the ring in the ball'