Home > News > Doping Control >

Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games: Football without limits

2008-09-25 11:03 Xinhuanet

The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, which ran from 6-17 September, once again underlined sport's universal appeal. Athletes from across the globe, whether suffering from mental or physical disadvantages, inspired everyone involved with their spirit of fair play and determination to overcome any obstacle.

And of course football has a huge part to play in Paralympic sport, with two variations of the beautiful game on show at Beijing 2008: 5-a-side Football for the blind and 7-a-side Football for athletes with cerebral palsy. As the dust settled on Chinese soil, it was Brazil and Ukraine who had emerged victorious in the respective competitions - the pair taking gold for the second consecutive Games.

A passion that knows no bounds
Being visually challenged certainly did not stop the players of Brazil, China PR, Argentina, Spain, Great Britain and Korea Republic from showing off their impressive ball skills throughout the 5-a-side Football Competition - producing moments of magic not a million miles away from the likes of fellow Olympians Diego, Lionel Messi or Juan Riquelme.

In this version of the sport, in which each team lines up with four blind players and one sighted or partially sighted goalkeeper, Brazil narrowly defeated hosts China PR 2-1 in the tournament finale. The home side had opened the scoring via Wang Yafeng, only for the Seleção to level via Ricardo Alves and grab the winner through Marcos Felipe's last-gasp penalty. Though disappointed to have let the ultimate prize slip from their grasp, the Chinese were clearly delighted with their silver medal and received a huge ovation from the local supporters.

"Even though the gold got away from us, this was our first appearance at the Paralympics and we're proud of the job we did."

Wang Yafeng is proud of his silver medal.  

"Even though the gold got away from us, this was our first appearance at the Paralympics and we're proud of the job we did. Thanks to everybody for their support, we'll do even better in the future," China goalscorer Wang said after the final whistle.

A wonderful game
Argentina, meanwhile, took bronze after a penalty shoot-out victory over Spain. Argentinian defender Luca Rodriguez, moved to tears by the day's events, declared just how much the game means to him and his fellow players: "We love this game dearly, and that's why I'm so emotional there are tears in my eyes. This medal success will have a place in my heart for a very long time, because we gave a very good account of ourselves at a hugely important event like this. I want to dedicate this to everybody who has been with us for so many years."

This particular footballing discipline has enjoyed enormous growth across the world since its early beginnings in 1986, the year the first ever International Championship was held in Spain. In 2004 it was accepted into the Paralympic fold in time for the Paralympic Games in Athens.

Matches in 5-a-side Football for the blind are played on a rectangular-shaped pitch, measuring around 42x22 metres, and are divided into two 25-minute halves. The offside rule is not used and the playing surface is surrounded by protective barriers to prevent injuries in case of trips or falls. The four outfield players also wear blindfolds, unlike the goalkeepers, and instructions from a guide behind the goal helps steer the players towards their opponent's net.

Football's part in the Paralympic family
Paralympic 7-a-side Football is played by those athletes with cerebral palsy ranging from C5 grade (low functional mobility) through to C8 (high functional mobility). This discipline first appeared at major tournament level at the Cerebral Palsy International Sport and Recreation Association Games in Edinburgh in 1978, and has been a Paralympic event since 1984. The sport is similar in essence to the game at Olympic level, but with several important adaptations. It is played with seven players and four substitutes, the pitch and the goals are smaller, there are no offsides and throw-ins can be taken with just one arm.

At Beijing 2008, it was the Ukrainian national team who successfully defended their Athens 2004 crown by beating neighbours and reigning world champions Russia in the final. Hero of the hour was captain Volodymyr Antonyuk, scorer of both his side's goals. The bronze went to tournament surprise packages Iran, who built on their runners-up finish at the 2007 World Championships by beating Brazil 4-0 in the play-off for third place to take their first medal in the discipline.

But the Paralympic Games is not just about star names and outstanding individuals, it is about gifted athletes overcoming physical and mental difficulties to enjoy and excel at their chosen sports. Given the superb performances on view at Beijing 2008, fans and players across the globe will be eagerly awaiting the next instalment of Paralympic football action, in four years' time at London 2012.

(Credit: FIFA)

Related Story