The Paralympic Movement features a diverse range of sports tailored to athletes with various impairments. A robust classification system ensures fair competition by grouping athletes whose impairments similarly impact performance. Below is an overview of popular para sports and how athletes are classified.
Introduction
Para sports encompass athletic disciplines adapted for competitors with physical, visual, or intellectual impairments. Classification evaluates how an athlete’s impairment affects sport-specific skills—ensuring success depends on training and talent, not degree of disability.
1. Wheelchair Sports
Examples: Wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, para table tennis
Classification Basis: Trunk control, sitting balance, and upper‑limb function.
Figure: Wheelchair basketball players competing, each assigned a point value (1.0–4.5) based on functional ability.
Point System (1.0–4.5): Lower points indicate greater impairment; team lineups are capped (e.g., 14 points on court).
2. Ambulatory & Standing Sports
Examples: Para athletics (track & field), para badminton, para powerlifting
Classification Basis: Lower‑limb strength, coordination, and range of motion.
Figure: Track & field classification board showing T/F categories for different impairment types.
T/F Classes (11–57):
T/F11–13: Visual impairment
T/F20: Intellectual impairment
T/F31–38: Coordination impairments (e.g., cerebral palsy)
T/F40–41: Short stature
T/F42–47: Limb deficiencies & leg length difference
T/F51–57: Wheelchair track & field (spinal cord injuries, amputations)
3. Sitting Volleyball & Court Sports
Examples: Sitting volleyball, wheelchair tennis
Classification Basis: Trunk stability and arm function.
Figure: Para sport classification icons illustrating different eligible impairment types.
Minimal Disability Requirements: Athletes must meet specific impairment criteria (e.g., permanent loss of muscle power, limb deficiency).
4. Cycling & Swimming
Examples: Para cycling (handbike, tricycle, standard bike), para swimming
Classification Basis: Muscle power, coordination, and balance for swimming; limb function and balance for cycling.
Figure: A 2‑point wheelchair basketball player; similar point-based systems exist in para cycling to ensure equitable competition.
Cycling Classes (C1–C5, T1–T2, H1–H5, B): Based on impairment severity—handcycle (H), tricycle (T), standard cycle (C), tandem for visual impairment (B).
Swimming Classes (S1–S10, S11–S13, S14, SB, SM): S1–10 for physical impairments; S11–13 for visual; S14 for intellectual impairment; SB/SM specify stroke‑specific classes.
