To be eligible to compete in Para Athletics, a person must have an eligible impairment and meet the minimum impairment criteria set out in the World Para Athletics Classification Rules and Regulations.
There are 10 eligible impairment types in Para Athletics: eight physical impairments as well as vision impairment and intellectual impairment. These are the same types as those listed for Swimming in a previous article.
Because of the variety of sports types [disciplines] involved, classification for Para Athletics is of necessity wider than for swimming.
DISCIPLINE: Running and jumping (20 classes)
SPORT CLASSES (Impairment types):
• T11-13: Vision impairment
• T20: Intellectual impairment
• T35-38: Co-ordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis)
• T40-41: Short stature
• T42-44: Lower limb competing without prosthesis affected by limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement
• T45-47: Upper limb/s affected by limb deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement
• T61-64: Lower limb/s competing with prosthesis affected by limb deficiency and leg length difference
DISCIPLINE: Wheelchair racing (7 classes)
SPORT CLASSES (Impairment types):
• T32-34: Co-ordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis)
• T51-54: Limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement
DISCIPLINE: Frame Running (2 classes)
SPORT CLASSES (Impairment types)
• T71-T72: Athletes with severe co-ordination impairment (hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis)
DISCIPLINE: Standing throws (19 classes)
SPORT CLASSES (Impairment types):
• F11-13: Vision impairment
• F20: Intellectual impairment
• F35-38 Co-ordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis)
• F40-41: Short stature
• F42-44: Lower limb competing without prosthesis affected by limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement
• F45-46 Upper limb/s affected by limb deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement
• F61-64 Lower limb/s competing with prosthesis affected by limb deficiency and leg length difference
DISCIPLINE: Seated throws (11 classes)
SPORT CLASSES (Impairment types):
• F31-34: Co-ordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis)
• F51-57: Limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired range of movement
Medical diagnostics forms for all athletes
Physical Impairment
It is the responsibility of the athlete and the National Paralympic Committee to submit a copy of the Medical Diagnostics Form (MDF) and all relevant supporting medical documentation via the IPC’s Sport Data Management System [SDMS], online.
Vision Impairment
It is the responsibility of the athlete and the NPC to submit a copy of the VI Medical Diagnostics Form (MDF) and all relevant supporting medical documentation via the SDMS, online.
Intellectual Impairment
For athletes with intellectual impairments, must meet the VIRTUS II 1 Eligibility Criteria and shall be listed on the VIRTUS International Eligibility Master list. It is the responsibility of the athlete and the NPC to submit a copy of TSAL-Q form via the SDMS, online.
All other Paralympic sports follow similar rules and procedures. Information about classification in all Paralympic sports is easily obtained on the IPC’s website https://www.paralympic.org/
