Boccia

104 Athletes competing in 7 medal events

Believed to date back to ancient Greece, Boccia is one of the oldest ball games. A form of Boccia was played in Italy in the 16th century. It is one of the few ball games that is specifically aimed at those with locomotor disabilities and played largely by those with cerebral palsy or other related neurological problems. Boccia is one of only three games that feature in the Paralympics but not in the main Olympic Games.

The game is played by one, two or three people and the main aim of the game is to throw a ball so that it is the closest to the jack (the white ball at the other end of the court). One point is scored for every ball that is closer to the jack than the opponent’s balls. For individuals and pairs there are four rounds and for the team games there are six rounds.

The first time Boccia was played was in 1984 at the New York games and the game has gathered considerable support since then with seven medals now available. Both sexes play on an equal footing. Although Boccia is played in around 42 countries, Portugal remains the regular winner of the medals. As well as being in the Paralympics, Boccia has its own World Championship in which 29 nations took part.

The name is derived from the word ‘bottia’ which is Latin for ball. It is sometimes referred to as ‘bocce’. It is always played on a court that is 12.5 metres by 6 metres.