Introduction
Classification is the system used by Paralympic sports and some other Para sports to group athletes together based on their physical abilities. Athletes are assessed by classifiers and placed in ‘classes’ to compete against those who have similar abilities.
What is classification?
Classification provides a structure for competition. Athletes competing in Para sports have an impairment that leads to a competitive disadvantage. Consequently, a system has to be put in place to minimise the impact of impairments on sport performance and to ensure the success of an athlete is determined by skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus. This system is called classification.
Challenging the interests of Para sport is the threat of one-sided and predictable competition, in which the least impaired athlete always wins.
Classification is the cornerstone of the Paralympic Movement, it determines which athletes are eligible to compete in a sport and how athletes are grouped together for competition. In Para sports, athletes are grouped by the degree of activity limitation resulting from the impairment. This, to a certain extent, is similar to grouping athletes by age, gender or weight.
Different sports require athletes to perform different activities, such as: sprinting, propelling a wheelchair, rowing and shooting. As sports require different activities, the impact of the impairment on each sport also differs. Therefore, for classification to minimise the impact of impairment on sport performance, classification must be sport specific.
Classification aims to minimise the impact of the impairment on athletes’ performance so that the sporting excellence determines which athlete or team is ultimately victorious. Ensuring that athletes are classified prior to competing is crucial to safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the competition.
It is important to underline that the competitive structure provided by classification systems is not only key for elite sport but also necessary for promoting grassroots participation in Para sports for people with an impairment.
WheelPower Statement
Classification is a defining feature of wheelchair sport establishing who can and who cannot take part. WheelPower endorses the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) rules and endeavours to work with the British Paralympic Association (BPA) in adhering to them.
Classification is a specific responsibility of each sport that includes disability sport on their programme.
The contact can be an International Sports Federation (ISF) or a National Governing Body of Sport (NGB).
WheelPower, when relevant, may contact a specific sport for information on classification and where an athlete may be classified.
The majority of WheelPower events are multi-sport for those with physical impairments (wheelchair user and/or ambulant). Instead of classification WheelPower uses an ‘age group’ system:
Our age groups are for:
- Primary School Age
- Junior/High School Age
- Adults
If appropriate participants are advised as to their likely classification for their impairment or condition. They can be signposted to the relevant NGB for further involvement or advice. WheelPower will signpost sporting opportunities for those who fail to meet minimum impairment requirement for classification.
In all sports specific competitions classification is mandatory and IPC rules are enforced. Entrants who are not yet classified can compete as guests when the rules allow.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience in spinal cord injury and related disability, impairment and classification matters, WheelPower can provide guidance to individuals and organisations as requested.
For Information
ISF’s are responsible for the classification of their sport for World Championships/Regional Games/International Events and, if relevant, Paralympic Sports. Athletes participating must have an international classification prior to competing.
NGB’s are responsible for classification for national competition and participants must have a national classification prior to competing.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is responsible for Paralympic Games, (Summer and Winter). The IPC decide which sports will be on the programme and all sports participation must comply with the IPC Classification Code.
