From Australia to Great Britain, South Africa to the U.S., TIME takes you around the globe to meet the compelling and inspiring athletes competing at the London Paralympics.
Chen Liangliang of China competes in the men goalball between China and Lithuania match at Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium during day eight of the 2008 Paralympic Games on Sept. 14, 2008 in Beijing.
Chen Liangliang led China's Paralympic goalball team to gold at the Beijing Paralympics. Developed after World War II by doctors hoping to improve the sight of visually impaired veterans, the sport is similar to handball. At the Paralympics a team can have six athletes, though only three may be on the court at any given time. Players attempt to hurl a ball, which has a bell inside, into the opponent's goal—a skill Chen has mastered.