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Archery
was the first sport people in wheelchairs ever competed in. Archery is
a sport that wheelchair athletes can compete in on an equal basis with
able-bodied persons and have very few rule modifications. It is also one
of a few sports where those with different physical disabilities can compete
with each other. The playing field is designed similar to those that able-bodied
athletes compete on, with the target being a distance of 294 feet away
from the archer. There are individual competitions for quadriplegic men,
quadriplegic women, paraplegic men and paraplegic women. Wheelchair archery
is conducted in accordance with International Archery Federation (IAF)
rules. |
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Archers
with significant upper extremity disabilities are allowed to utilize a
device to secure the bow to the hand. For those with bilateral hip articulation
or archers with bilateral above the knee amputations may use strapping
or body supports. They are also allowed to have someone nock the arrow
onto the bow. For over 30 years, target archery has been a paralympic sport.
Its rules are the same as it is for the Olympic games. However, only those
with cerebral palsy, spinal injuries and other lower limb impairments may
participate in the paralympics. |