The London 2012 Paralympic Games will have twenty different sports each with their own disciplines and events for both men and women.
The Sports are: -
- Archery
- Athletics
- Boccia
- Road Cycling
- Track Cycling
- Equestrian
- 5-a-side Football
- 7-a-side Football
- Goalball
- Judo
- Power lifting
- Rowing
- Sailing
- Shooting
- Swimming
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Fencing
- Rugby
- Tennis
For those not familiar with Boccia, it is a sport originating in ancient Greece and developed in medieval Italy. This skilful game is played between individuals, pairs or teams, on a long narrow court.
The objective is to throw, toss or bowl a ball to land as close as possible to a target ball, known as a jack. There will be seven medal events at the London Olympics, open to competitors of both sexes who suffer from severe cerebral palsy and related neurological disorders.
The Portuguese in particular excel at Boccia and will be the favorites for medals in 2012.
Goalball has been developed for players who suffer from visual impairment. Teams of three compete against each other on a volleyball court, aiming to roll a ball into the opposition goal who try to prevent a score by blocking the ball with their bodies.
Each game lasts twenty minutes with the unique feature that spectators must keep absolutely silent to enable the players to hear the ball and the movements of their opponents. Two gold medals are at stake in this fast growing sport now being played in over seventy countries since first featuring in 1976 at the Toronto games.
The Paralympics are truly inspiring competitive events that illustrates the indomitable spirit of human beings in the face of their personal adversities of severe physical handicaps.
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