Rivalry and impact: the Wheelchair Rugby heroes’ determination
United States and Canada in the America, Australia and New Zealand in the Oceania: more than opponents inside the Paralympic Games courts
Wheelchair Rugby is a promising attraction in the Paralympic Games (©Getty Images/Milos Bicanski)
The ones who have watched Murderball, a 2005 Henry Alex Rubin and Dana Adam Shapiro documentary, understands why the original Wheelchair Rugby is called that way. Created in Canada at the end of the 1970s, it puts athletes with, at least, three limbs disabled nose to nose. Determination and love for the game, however, emanates from head to toe.
The sport is part of the Paralympic Games since Atlanta 1996. It has become a major attraction instantaneously. The dynamic duels and the constant shock between players stoke one of the greatest rivalries on the Paralympic world.
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Playing at home, the United States took their first gold medal in the historical final against Canada in 1996: 37 to 30. In Sydney 2000, the north-American arch-rivals have competed against each other in one of the semi-finals. The United States won a narrow victory, 40 to 35. In the other semi-final, Australia and New Zealand decided the classification in the last moments. Australia defeated New Zealand by a point, 40 to 39. These are some examples of unforgettable duels in the Paralympic Games.
In the 2000 final, the hosts have drunk their own poison: 32 to 31 to the United States. The parity between the two powers of the sport has repeated itself in Athens 2004. Canada has paid the opponent back in the semi-finals, but it has lost to the New Zealanders in the decision. In Beijing 2008, Australia and United States competed against each other in Sydney 2000, with the victory of the United States.
For London 2012, Murderball, or Wheelchair Rugby, has an extra bit of emotion: the home team, the Great-Britain, will try to win its first medal in the history of the Games, after almost achieving it three times. The British were fourth place in Atlanta 1996, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. The murderball will, once again, entertain fans from all over the world.
About the sport
Played in a court the size of the Basketball’s, the objective of the game is to carry the ball over the opponent’s goal line, passing it between the cones. The teams are formed by four players, and men and women can play together.
