The Paralympics are officially under way in Paris!
126 athletes are representing Canada at the games and they are taking part in 18 different sports.
One of these sports is very unique and EXTREMELY cool!
“Goalball” is a team sport played indoors, usually on a volleyball court.
It’s designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment!
Eyeshades are worn during the game, to allow partially sighted and blind players to compete on an equal footing.
Participants compete in teams of three, and try to throw a ball with bells embedded inside it, into their opponents’ net.
Teams alternate throwing or rolling the ball from one end of the playing area to the other, and players remain in the area of their own goal in both when they’re on defense and on the attack.
Using ear-hand coordination, players must use the sound of the ball to judge its position and movement.
It originated as a rehabilitation exercise, and the sport has no able-bodied equivalent.
Check out this video that explains more….