Cerebral palsy football s first world tournament was a part of the 1976 French International Games in Montredat. The Netherlands have dominated football capturing the gold medal in all international competitions since 1986. They will be striving for towards their fourth consecutive Paralympic Games gold medal at Sydney in 2000. The Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games football competition is scheduled to be held from 21 to 29 October 2000 at the State Hockey Centre, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Bay. While watching this exciting sport, it is essential that they remain completely silent throughout the 14-minute game, allowing goalballers to intensely focus and concentrate on the sound and location of the ball.
Spectators are welcome to cheer only after a goal or the end of the game.
The game of goalball is played by athletes who are blind or visually impaired and consists of a ball containing a bell to guide and indicate its direction to the competing players. Teams compete with three players aside on a 18 m by 9 m court. Competitors throw and aim the ball along the ground at great speeds towards their opponent s goal which spans the entire width of the court. It is an open competition limited to blind and visually impaired athletes who focus on the key elements of balance, touch, sensitivity and instinct. Judo was introduced to the Paralympic Games competition program at Seoul in 1988.