Wheelchair Basketball

Wheelchair basketball is an inclusive team sport designed for athletes with physical impairments, particularly those affecting lower limb mobility. It has been a part of the Paralympic Games since 1960, showcasing the athleticism, skill, and teamwork of para athletes. The sport offers a thrilling and dynamic competition played on a basketball court with adaptations to accommodate athletes using wheelchairs.

Men’s 12-team and women’s 10-team tournaments are contested at the Paralympic Games. Teams are drawn into two pools and the four highest placed teams in each group progress to the quarter-finals.

In wheelchair basketball, the playing area mirrors that of Olympic basketball, measuring 28 meters in length and 15 meters in width. Official national and international matches require a wooden floor.

The ball used must adhere to specific standards, featuring a single shade of orange with eight traditional panels and black seams. Its outer surface can be crafted from leather, synthetic leather, rubber, or another synthetic material. The circumference ranges from 74.9cm to 78cm, with a weight between 567 grams and 650 grams.

Wheelchairs utilized in the sport typically have three or four wheels, with two large wheels at the back and one or two smaller wheels at the front. Some models may also incorporate anti-tip devices comprising no more than two small castors attached to the frame or rear axle. Tyres must not leave marks on the floor, and all competition chairs must adhere to the standards set by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation.

Wheelchair basketball provides an inclusive platform for athletes with verified permanent lower limb impairments to compete on a global stage, including the Paralympic Games. Eligible impairments may encompass conditions such as paraplegia, lower limb amputations, cerebral palsy, or polio. Notably, participation extends beyond daily wheelchair users, welcoming a diverse range of athletes, including those who may be ambulant.