Introduced to the Games as a demonstration event at the Toronto 1976 Games, Goalball was added to the Paralympic programme as a full medal sport four years later in Arnhem.
Athletes wear blackout masks (eyeshades) on the playing court, which allows persons with varying degrees of vision to participate together.
132 sets of eyeshades will be used during the Goalball competition.
The ball reaches speeds of 60 kilometres per hour – players literally put their bodies on the line to stop the fast-moving ball crossing the goal line.