The story of the Turkish Women's National Goalball Team — the only team in history to win three consecutive gold medals at the Paralympics — is not only one of extraordinary success, but also a story of discrimination and the persistent marginalization of women with disabilities.
Originally developed after World War II to rehabilitate wounded soldiers, goalball has evolved into a competitive sport — though still one of the least recognized. What sets it apart is that it is designed specifically for athletes with visual impairments. In this sport, Turkey is indisputably the world leader.
Our Women's National Goalball Team, which has claimed three consecutive Paralympic gold medals, was honored this year with the Mustafa V. Koç Sports Award. We met with the national athletes and coaching staff during the Women’s Goalball 1st League 2nd Round Competitions in Nevşehir and documented their incredible journey. This was the only way we could bring together athletes who spend nearly the entire year in national team training camps.
The personal struggles of these visually impaired women to claim space in their own lives are inseparable from their struggle as athletes. As national team coach Gültekin Karasu puts it, “Women in Turkey start life 1-0 behind. In some regions, they start 2-0 behind. If they are disabled, they start 3-0 or even 5-0 behind.”
While our national athletes face resistance from their families and communities, they also battle their opponents on the court. On one hand, they’re proving that women can compete in sports. On the other, they’re showing the world that they can excel. They are an inspiration to all — especially to people with disabilities.
Once you understand the journey of our national goal scorers, you can’t help but wonder: Perhaps we are the ones who are truly blind — those of us with good eyesight, but no vision for what really matters.
