Paralympics sports Information source-British Council’s Visitor Handbook

Select a type of sports Archery Boccia Cycling-track Equestrian Football 5-a-side

5 a side football is played by visually impaired athletes using a ball with a noise making device inside. There are two teams, each with four outfield players and a goalkeeper. The outfield players are visually impaired. The goalkeeper however can be fully sighted.

Football 5-a-side

Countdown A two minute period of time at the end of each half when the clock is stopped for free kicks, kick-ins, goal clearances and corner kicks.

Eyeshades A covering for the eyes which makes it impossible to see, and means that players with different degrees of visual impairment can compete together.

Guide A fully sighted person who assists the players by giving instructions from the side of the pitch.

Guides areas Parts of the pith where guides are allowed to stand.

Noise-making device A small object insight the ball that makes a ringing sound when the ball moves.

Rebound wall A wall along the sides of the pitch.

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Equestrian Para-Equestrian dressage is developed in the 1970’s. The first events were held in Great Britain and Scandinavia. Since than the sport has spread around the world. Athletes from more then 40 countries now complete on regular basis.

Equestrian

Caller A person with normal sight who talks riders with visible impairment to help them navigate round the arena.

Championship test One of the two types of dressage test on the Paralympics programs, in which each rider must make their horse perform predetermined movements.

Connecting rein bars A device that helps some Paralympics athletes to control their horses by linking them to the reins.

Dressage A discipline where the rider guides the horse to make the natural movements that it does without thinking-in the wild.

Dressage crop A long stick that allows a rider to touch the horse's side while keeping both hands on the reins.

Freestyle test One of two types of dressage test on the Paralympics programs, in which each rider can choose their own movements and music.

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Cycling-track Paralympics cycling was originally developed as a sport for visually impaired athletes, who first competed using tandem bicycles. Technological advancements have synced opened up the sport to a wider range of athletes. It is now the third largest sport on the Paralympics programmed.

Cycling-track

Individual sprint Two riders race against each other around the track.

Mixed events A race in which male and female athletes compete together, such as the team sprit.

Tandem A cycle for two people, used by athletes with visual impairment; the athlete sits on the back with a sighted pilot at the front.

Team relay A race between two or more teams in which each person in the team rides part of the race.

Time trial A type of race in which all riders start together, and the first cross the finish line wins goal.

Trystyle A cycle with pedals operated by hand. It has two wheels at the back and one at the front.

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Boccia Boccia comes from Latin word “bottia”, meaning ball. It is also known as “bocce”. Boccia is played on the rectangular court where athletes aim to land balls close to the target ball. If a player is unable to throw or kick the ball, they can use a ramp. (assistive devise).

Boccia

Sports assistant A person who acts only under instruction from the athlete, and performs tasks like stabilizing the chair or setting up the ramp.

Court The area where the game is played

End A passage of play that features six balls per athlete, pair of them.

Jack The white target ball; competitors aim, to finish the end with their closer to this ball then their opponents.

Ramp A device used by athletes who are unable to hold and release the ball, to propel the ball toward jack.

Wheelcair A chair on wheels which people who are unable to walk use for moving around.

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Archery Paralympics archery was originally developed as means of rehabilitation and recreation for people with a physical impairment. Then it rapidly turned into a competitive sport. In London, 2012 athletes have completed in three classes: standing (ST), wheelchair 1 (W1) and wheelchair 2 (W2).

Archery

Arrow A long thin stick with a sharp point at one end, which is shot from a bow

Bow A long, thin peace of wood, or another material, bent into a curve by a piece of string. Used to shoot arrows.

Compound bow A modern bow that uses a leveling system, usually of cables and pulleys, to bend the limbs.

Mechanical release aid A devise used by athletes who have no functional finger movement.

Recurve bow The bow that has tips that curve away from archer when the bow is strung. It requires more strength to use this bow.

Target The object which archers try and hit when they shoot each arrow.

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