Goalball has been in America and the whole world since 1946 when Austrian Hanz Lorenzen and German Sepp Reindle made the sport as a means of assisting the rehabilitation of visually impaired World War II veterans. Ever since, Goalball has grown across Earth. However, when we as athletes who play the game, tell people about it, they just look at us like we are talking in a completely different language. They understand the other sports that are part of the Paralympics, but when you bring up Goalball, they do not bat an eye; Goalball was introduced to the Paralympics in 1976. It is time for a change; in the London 2012 games, we had Paralympics aired for the first time on T.V.; Goalball, however, was only streamed on YouTube. However, this year, I found out that it will not be broadcasted (again) NOR will it be streamed! This is complete bull. The only thing that they will be doing is just the highlights and that is it.
When I say this, I probably speak for the whole Goalball community: I want my sport to be recognized just as much as any other sport! We all need to come together as a community, and spread the word! We are part of Team USA, Team Germany, Team Great Britain, etc AND the Paralympics!
Moreover, it is time for a change and for our voices to be heard loud and clear. Let's get Goalball on the TV and be viewed as athletes as well.
Goalball has been in America and the whole world since 1946 when Austrian Hanz Lorenzen and German Sepp Reindle made the sport as a means of assisting the rehabilitation of visually impaired World War II veterans. Ever since, Goalball has grown across Earth. However, when we as athletes who play the game, tell people about it, they just look at us like we are talking in a completely different language. They understand the other sports that are part of the Paralympics, but when you bring up Goalball, they do not bat an eye; Goalball was introduced to the Paralympics in 1976. It is time for a change; in the London 2012 games, we had Paralympics aired for the first time on T.V.; Goalball, however, was only streamed on YouTube. However, this year, I found out that it will not be broadcasted (again) NOR will it be streamed! This is complete bull. The only thing that they will be doing is just the highlights and that is it.
When I say this, I probably speak for the whole Goalball community: I want my sport to be recognized just as much as any other sport! We all need to come together as a community, and spread the word! We are part of Team USA, Team Germany, Team Great Britain, etc AND the Paralympics!
Moreover, it is time for a change and for our voices to be heard loud and clear. Let's get Goalball on the TV and be viewed as athletes as well.
