How to Play Paralymic Archery

Archery has been a part of the Paralympic games since the 1960 Rome Olympics. When athletes with disabilities play Paralympic archery they follow the same rules set by the International Archery Federation (FITA) that apply to non-disabled archers with only small changes. Archers shoot arrows at a target at a distance of 70 meters (230 feet) and earn 10 points for striking the center of the target and decreasing scores the further from the center the arrow strikes. Paralympic archery competition is divided into three classes according to the degree of physical impairment. Events include individual and team competition for both men and women. To qualify to play Paralympic archery is not easy since athletes must compete in national and international events to qualify, much as athletes must do for the regular Olympics. The following steps outline how to play Paralympic archery and are based on the rules and procedures established by the International Paralympic Committee.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Compound or recurve bow and arrows
• Ordinary chair (Classification ARST-1)
• Wheelchair (Classifications ARW-1 and ARW-2)
• Fastening for bow hand and/or mechanical arrow release (some ARW-1)
• Assistant (some ARW-1)

1. Determine which classification an athlete is eligible for. Standing (ARST-1) competition includes individuals who have partial loss of the use of their legs but do have full use of the upper body and arms. One wheelchair classification (ARW-1) is for archers who have both loss of leg function and impaired use of the arms and upper body. Individuals who must use a wheelchair but who have full use of their arms compete in classification ARW-2.

2. Provide an ordinary chair for any archer in ARST-1 events who is not able to stand well enough to compete effectively. For this classification, no other assistance is allowed and the athletes follow the standard rules for international archery competition.

3. Provide space for wheelchairs for paraplegics and other individuals who have no useful leg function. These individuals compete in the ARW-2 classification. They use no other modifications and like archers in ARST-1 events follow the rules for regular archery competition.

4. Prepare adaptive aids for ARW-1 events. This classification includes all Paralympic archers who have impaired use of the upper body or arms. Several specific modifications can be used. For those who have limited hand strength or function, the bow can be fastened or taped to the bow hand. A mechanical release can be used for shooting the arrow and an assistant can help the archer nock the arrow onto the bow. When the individual cannot keep the body upright a body brace or straps may be used. Athletes are not allowed to use these accommodations without approval and all other rules for international archery competition must be adhered to.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a physical disability and are interested in participating in archery there are many archery clubs for people with disabilities. You can learn more by clicking on the links below.
• At the present time the only Paralympic competition in archery is for mobility impaired and wheelchair athletes. Currently, the International Paralympic Committee is considering adding archery for the blind and partially sighted and may make a decision by the end of 2008.

Who Can Help:

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Resources

• Directory of Organizations for Athletes with Disabilities
• 2008 Paralympics Beijing
• 2012 Paralympics London