Boccia: discover this sport exclusive to the Paralympic Games, its rules, its history

The Olympic and Paralympic Games always give us the opportunity to discover lesser-known, less-mediatized sports. So this summer 2024, in Paris, we're looking forward to watching freestyle BMX, trampoline, diving... Or boccia.

Boccia is one of the two Paralympic sports with no Olympic equivalent. Boccia is a game of boules, often compared to pétanque. It has been a summer Paralympic sport since 1984. In 2024, the events are being held at theArena Paris Sud, one of the areas of Paris Expo - Porte de Versailles. The competitions take place from August 29 to September 5, 2024.

Boccia is a mixed discipline, practiced in 75 countries around the world, and is aimed at athletes with motor disabilities. It can be played individually, in doubles or in teams of three. The French Handisport Federation website explains: " It's a duel sport, where the aim is to score more points than your opponent, over 4 rounds in a reduced time. " To achieve this, athletes use leather balls, either red or blue, depending on the team. The aim, as in petanque, is to throw these balls as close as possible to the control ball, called "Jack". Each player has six balls at his disposal to score as many points as possible. The game is played over several rounds.

Athletes are divided into four categories, according to their disability. Athletes must use wheelchairs. Depending on the degree of disability, ramps and assistants can be provided. Assistants keep their backs to the court throughout the round, and must follow the player's instructions to the letter, without interfering in any other way.

Here is the official classification of athletes, as explained by the federation:

• BC1: Player with cerebral palsy (CP- Cerebral Palsy) and similar: "severe" disability in all four limbs. The player has a sports assistant.
• BC2: CP player and assimilated: "severe" handicap in all four limbs. No sports assistant.
• BC3: Player with any type of pathology: more "severe" handicap in all four limbs. The player has a ramp and a sports assistant.
• BC4: Player with any type of pathology, except CP and CP-like: "severe" handicap in all four limbs. No sports assistant, except for players who use their feet.
  
  

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Since 1984, several nations have distinguished themselves in this discipline. At the top of the medal table is South Korea, with 22 medals, including 10 gold. On the second step of the podium is Portugal (27 medals, 8 gold), then Thailand (12 medals, 6 gold).

For these 2024 Games, France is also hoping to climb onto these podiums. At the last French championships, several athletes distinguished themselves, including Damien Thibout (BC1 gold medallist), Aurélien Fabre (BC2 gold medallist), Sonia Heckel (BC3 gold medallist) and Dorian Decarme (BC4 gold medallist). Official qualifiers for the Games have yet to be announced.

Île-de-France has 29 facilities offering this sport, including five in Paris. To find the one nearest you, consult the interactive map of the Handisport Federation.