In para cycling, specific classifications exist for athletes using tandem bicycles for visual impairment, recumbent hand cycles for spinal cord injuries, and standard bicycles with prosthetics for leg impairments. Similarly, in para swimming, classes range from S1 to S10, with S1 being for athletes with the most significant loss of muscle power or control, and S10 for those with minor impairments, such as the loss of one hand or a movement restriction in one hip joint.
Paralympics Categories Sport Specific Guide
These equipment categories are meticulously defined to maintain a level playing field. In para athletics, track events are divided into categories such as T11-T13 for visually impaired athletes, T20 for athletes with intellectual impairment, T33-T38 for those with coordination impairments like cerebral palsy, and T40-T41 for athletes with short stature.
B2 athletes have a visual acuity ranging from 2/60 to 6/60, while B3 athletes have a visual acuity from 6/60 to 6/24. To ensure safety and fairness, especially in sports like athletics and swimming, B1 competitors are required to wear blackout goggles and use a tether with their guide, while B2 and B3 athletes may choose to use guides depending on the event.
Sport Specific Guide to Paralympics Categories and Classifications
The main categories include limb deficiency, where an athlete is born without a limb or has had one amputated; cerebral palsy and other hypertonia, which affect muscle control and coordination; and spinal cord injuries and polio, which impact muscle strength and movement. Visual Impairment Classification Athletes with visual impairment are classified into three sport classes: B1, B2, and B3.
More About Categories in paralympics
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