(BEIJING, September 6) -- When watching goalball competitions, the audience should not utter any sound or words, not even a whisper, for complete silence is required for the competition.

According to the definition of the International Paralympic Committee, goalball is exclusively a sport for athletes affected by blindness/visual impairment. Players try to roll the ball into the opponent's goal with the opposing players counteracting with their body. To achieve this, both sides have to figure out the direction of the on-coming ball by listening to the sound of bells inside the ball.

Therefore, while the match is in progress, complete silence is required in the venue to allow the players to concentrate and react instantly.