The competitions at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are now a reality, which is why it is useful to familiarise yourself with some words that are basic to understanding Paralympic sports.

‘In basketball, the action of standing on one wheel while lifting the other to make yourself taller. In boccia, ‘Jacobo’ is the main (cue) ball to which the game is directed, ‘KON’ is a shot in which the player pushes his own ball closer to a target area.

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In goalball, the ‘sound ball’ is used to help players orient themselves in space, a sound ball containing bells is used. In para athletics, masks are used to bring all athletes to the same level, also guide straps are used to bring all athletes to the same level.

In para canoeing ‘Va’a’ is a canoe based on a simple paddle propulsion system. It has a float, which acts both as a support and a brake. It must be used efficiently, with a single objective, to keep it out of the water during the entire gliding phase. The ‘pilot’ in cycling is the guide who rides with the visually impaired cyclist in tandem. The ‘kumikata’ in para judo is a standardised grip with one hand on the opponent’s sleeve and the other on the backhand.

In swimming, visually impaired swimmers can be assisted by an ‘assistant’. A pole with a foam block on the end is used to touch the swimmer’s cap and warn them of the proximity of the wall during turns and at the end of the race. Assistants can also help swimmers enter and exit the water.