History

Goalball was invented in 1946 by Hanz Lorenzen of Austria and Sepp Reindle of Germany as a rehabilitation sport for visually impaired World War II veterans. The objective was to help individuals regain physical strength, coordination, and confidence.

Over the years, the sport evolved into a competitive discipline and gained international recognition. In 1976, Goalball was officially introduced as a Paralympic sport at the Toronto Paralympic Games.

Played by two teams of three players each, Goalball relies on auditory skills, teamwork, and tactical awareness. A bell inside the ball allows players to track movement through sound, while eyeshades ensure equal visual conditions for all participants.

Today, Goalball is played in more than 100 countries and stands as one of the most inspiring team sports in the Paralympic movement.