Wheelchair curling facts for kids
Wheelchair curling is a special version of the sport of Curling. It is designed for athletes who have physical disabilities. This exciting sport allows people to compete on ice, showing their skill and teamwork.
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How Wheelchair Curling Started
Curling first became an Olympic sport in 1998. Wheelchair curling joined the Winter Paralympic Games program a few years later, in 2002. This was a big step for athletes with disabilities. By 2017, athletes from 16 different countries were playing wheelchair curling, showing how much the sport had grown around the world.
Rules of the Game
The World Curling Federation sets the rules for wheelchair curling. Teams have four players. Each player takes turns sliding heavy stones made of granite across a long ice track.
The Ice Track and Target
The ice track is about 45 meters (148 feet) long. At the end of the track is a target area called the "house." The house is a big circle with four rings inside it. It measures 183 centimeters (about 6 feet) across. There is a small dot right in the center of the house.
How to Score Points
The main goal is for a team to get their stones as close as possible to the center dot. Each team throws ten stones in total. After all stones are thrown, the team with the most stones closest to the center wins that round.
How Players Throw the Stone
Players sit in their wheelchairs on a special rubber mat. They use a long stick to help them push and guide the 19.96 kilogram (about 44 pound) stone down the ice. This stick helps them aim and control the stone's path.
Who Can Play Wheelchair Curling?
To play wheelchair curling, athletes must have a physical disability. Many different types of disabilities are included. For example, people who use wheelchairs due to conditions like Paraplegia, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis can play. Also, people who have had amputations of their lower legs are eligible.
