II.1. PÉTANQUE
Pétanque is a form of boules with a history of thousands of years. It was played in the ancient Egypt, by the soldiers of Alexander the Great and Greek soldiers who conquered Gaul and made the game so popular that some rulers had to ban the game with a royal decree. However, the game survived prohibition, and the first competition was organized in 1910 in Ciotat, France. The international federation with 7 member countries was established in 1958, and joined the Global Confederation of the Sport of the Boules in December, 1985. The organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee since 1986.
„Pied tanqués” (i.e. pétanque) means ’feet fixed’. The expression gives away one of the min rules: boules have to be thrown without lifting any of the feet off the ground until the boule touches the ground.
The game can be played by people of all ages: children and grandparents, women and men equally. Playing the game does not need any special equipment. Three boules are needed for each player.
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The website of the federation is available at this link: