BC3

Events this classification competes in are mixed gendered competitions for either single players or a pair of players.[4]^[14] Players in this classification have six minutes to play an end.^[15] Players in this classification have eight minutes to play an end during team play.^[15]

Classification and sport history

Boccia made its debut on the Paralympic program at the 1984 Games.^[16] Boccia began to develop as an important sport for people in this class as track events began to disappear. The timing of this matched with a push by the CP-ISRA to promote the sport.^[17]

Competition information and results

At the 2012 Australian national championships held at the Sydney Sport & Recreation from 30 April to 3 May, the BC3 individual event was won by Angie McReynolds of New South Wales, with second place going to Terry Cooper of New South Wales and third place going to Sheila Thomas of New South Wales.^[18]

At the Paralympic Games

At the 2012 Summer Paralympics, this classification competed in a six end individual event, and a pairs event with four balls per each end in a four end game.^[4] Great Britain's performances in this classification meant their talent identification unit for sport performance focuses specifically on improving it as one of the best opportunities for medals at the 2012 London Games.^[19]

For the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio, the International Paralympic Committee had a zero classification at the Games policy. This policy was put into place in 2014, with the goal of avoiding last minute changes in classes that would negatively impact athlete training preparations. All competitors needed to be internationally classified with their classification status confirmed prior to the Games, with exceptions to this policy being dealt with on a case-by-case basis.^[20] In case there was a need for classification or reclassification at the Games despite best efforts otherwise, boccia classification was scheduled for September 8 at Carioca Arena 2.^[20]

Becoming classified

Classification is handled by Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association.^[21] The classification officer for the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association is Joan Steele-Mills.^[22]

To be eligible for classification, a boccia competitor "must have a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, stroke, head injury or other nonprogressive brain damage with locomotor dysfunction, either congenital or acquired (exception: Boccia “BC 4” players)."^[23]

Competitors

Competitors in this classification include Jessica Hunter who has represented both England and Great Britain, and Jacob Thomas who has represented both Wales and Great Britain.^[19]

References