|para| 2016
The Paralympic sport you’ve never heard of
Goalball was designed for visually impaired people, not adapted from an able-bodied sport
Sara Chodosh and Michael Koziol • September 6, 2016
Once players let go of the goal, they rely on their muscle memory and mental representation of the court to throw the ball accurately [Image credit: Sara Chodosh and Michael Koziol]
Goalball. It’s a vigorous combination of handball and soccer played by the blind. Haven’t heard of it? You’re not alone — many people still aren’t familiar with it despite the fact that it’s been part of the Paralympic program for decades. We got an inside look at how the game is played by visiting a tournament outside of Philadelphia where teams faced off against each other. These adult leagues are small communities of people — they’re not playing to make it to the Paralympics, they’re just playing for the love of the game.
