7 October 2005 - IPC Archery

IPC Archery

Lausanne - 7 October 2005

Archery is a sport in which all disabled people can express themselves, either standing or in a wheelchair, as well as visually impaired. In competition disabled archers are divided in classes according to their disability, so that like shoots against like. The material is the same as for able-bodied archers, with only slight modifications to make it easier for disabled people to practice this sport.

ST class consists of all archers who shoot from a standing position plus those who shoot from an ordinary chair with their feet on the ground. W2 class is for wheelchair users and W1 class is for wheelchair users with additional disabilities in their arms or hands. There is also an « open » class in which all disabled archers using a compound bow with flight hook, sight and magnifying lens (identical to able archers) are put together whereas paraplegic, amputated, etc.

Last week the 5th World IPC Archery Championship took place in Massa-Carrara, Italy with 184 archers from 31 countries participating (see www.massacarrara2005.com).

For the first time ten or so blind archers competed in a demonstration event hoping that blind archery would become a Paralympic discipline. A big step forward has been achieved with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) deciding during its Congress held in Massa-Carrara to include blind archery in its future events. Blind archers use the same material as able archers, but it is the aiming technique that is different.