Disability sport has come a long way in recent years, allowing athletes with severe  impairments, including cerebral palsy, to participate in a major event.

Such is the case of boccia (pronounced bot-cha), which relies more on skill and subtlety than the size, speed and strength of the competitor.   The aim of the sport is to propel balls so they finish as close as possible to a special white target ball, known as the jack.  Balls can be propelled by rolling, throwing or kicking. If a player is unable to throw or kick, they can use a ramp. If they are unable to release the ball with their hands players can use a head pointer.

Believed to have ancient Greek origins, Boccia requires players to be seated within a throwing box at one end of the court. A four-tier classification system allows players of similar disabilities to compete against each other.

Six courts were set up for opening round games at the new multi-purpose gymnasium in the Unidad Revolucion sports complex on Avenida Pablo Neruda this week.  The finals were held on Thursday, with two golds going to Canadians Adam Dukovich and Marco Displatro, one to Mexico’s Eduardo Ventura and one to Brazil’s Fabio Moraes.