Boccia

Boccia is a sport which is played by athletes who use wheelchairs. It became a Paralympic sport at the 1984 Games in New York. All Boccia events are mixed gender. The aim of the sport is to throw red and blue leather balls at a white jack. A boccia ball is slightly larger than a tennis ball.

There are seven medal boccia events within the Paralympic Games. These include competitions for individuals, pairs and teams. For the individual and pair events, a boccia game lasts a total of four rounds. A team game consists of six rounds.

Athletes are assessed to determine the extent of their physical disability after which they are assigned to a particular sport class. This means that the athletes playing against each other have the same level of physical ability. A BC1 classification means players can throw the ball by hand or foot and qualify for assistance throughout the game. BC2 players can only throw the ball by hand and do not receive any assistance. BC3 players have limited locomotor function and may use a device to propel the ball. They can receive assistance but the assistants must face away from the game. Players in the BC4 category have severe locomotor dysfunction and poor trunk control however, they possess these athletes possess the dexterity to throw the ball and do not qualify for assistance.

A boccia court measures 2.5m x 6m. It has a 2m border of empty space around it. The court is divided into six rectangular throwing boxes. There is a v shaped line across the court and athletes must throw the ball over this line for it to be valid.