Wheelchair Curling
Sports Summary
Wheelchair Curling had its debut at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games. The sport is open to male and female athletes with a physical disability in the lower part of the body. This includes athletes with significant impairments in lower leg/gait function (eg spinal injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, double leg amputation, etc), who require a wheelchair for daily mobility. Each team must be comprised of male and female players. It is governed by and played according to the rules of the World Curling Federation (WCF), with only one modification - no sweeping.
Events/Disciplines
The competition is open to teams of 4 athletes (2 male and 2 female).
Classification
Wheelchair curling is generally open to athletes with significant impairments in both of their legs, that impacts on their ability to walk without assistance. Usually athletes use a wheelchair for day to day mobility or are able to walk only very small distances. Generally athletes have a diagnosis of spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, double leg amputation or other neurological conditions. Athletes are allocated a classification of E (eligible) or NE (not eligible).
Rules & Equipment
Stone: No stone must be of greater weight than 19,96kg or of greater circumference than 91,44cm or of less height than 11,43cm. A handle is attached to every stone to lift, deliver and release it. Delivery of the stone can be used by the normal hand delivery or by using the extender cue. The introduction of the cue, the end of which is attached to the handle of the stone and then pushed, has allowed athletes with a more severe disability to curl on the same level playing field.
