Paralympic Classification - Introduction
When people watch Paralympic sport, the one thing they have the most trouble with is classification. With varying types of impairments and the immeasurable ways a single impairment can affect different people, it is impossible to have all competitors in a single event. Therefore, each sport places competitors into groups of comparable ability and function. Whilst classification is possibly one of the most controversial areas of the Paralympic movement, without it the Paralympic games simply could not exist.
In the majority of sports, classification denotes that competitors will compete against others of a similar level of impairment. For example, as a swimmer i am an S3, and therefore will only compete against other S3 swimmers.
To confuse matters further, each individual sport has a different classification critera and system. Whilst my knowledge is based within the swimming arena, I will endeavour to , eventually, develop a detailed explanation of all classifications for all Paralympic sports. I feel it is important to do this, because if the Paralympics are to gain even more interest, people need to be able to understand what it is they're watching.
I will provide a brief history of classification, as well as an overview of all sports, on this page, then as each sport is explained in detail it will appear on an individual page under the "Paralympic Classification" tab.
In the majority of sports, classification denotes that competitors will compete against others of a similar level of impairment. For example, as a swimmer i am an S3, and therefore will only compete against other S3 swimmers.
To confuse matters further, each individual sport has a different classification critera and system. Whilst my knowledge is based within the swimming arena, I will endeavour to , eventually, develop a detailed explanation of all classifications for all Paralympic sports. I feel it is important to do this, because if the Paralympics are to gain even more interest, people need to be able to understand what it is they're watching.
I will provide a brief history of classification, as well as an overview of all sports, on this page, then as each sport is explained in detail it will appear on an individual page under the "Paralympic Classification" tab.
Classification History
As discussed in the "Paralympic Movement" area, the Paralympics originated as a form of rehabilitation for individuals with spinal injuries. Therefore, the original process of classification was based upon a medicalised process whereby competitors were assessed to determine whether their injuries were complete or incomplete paraplegia or tetraplegia.
However, as the paralympic movement expanded to incorporate other impairments, the classification criteria was required to expand as well. The spinal cord injury/"wheelchair group" had been organised into 8 different classes. But with the inclusion of amputees came a further nine classes, whilst athletes with visual impairments added a further three, then later competitors with cerebral palsy were divided into an additional 8 classes. Additionally, as time passed, another group of athletes emerged whom did not "fit into" the proceeding impairment discriptions, these athletes were labelled "les autres" (or "the others") and were divided into 6 more classifications.
Therefore, by the Paralympic games in Seoul 1988, there were approximately 34 different classifications. To put this in real terms, this would be like taking the number of events in the Olympics and timing that by 34 in order that all athletes had a race. Thus, it is perhaps understandable that paralympic sports were not considered as highly competitive at this time.
It soon became clear that it was necessary to revamp the classification system. Indeed, it was wheelchair basketball that developed a new system, whereby the althete's functional ability was assessed, opposed to a pure focus on the nature of their impairment. This system is now fully embraced throughout most paralympic sports, although a few sports do still consider impairment specific issues as well as sport specific functionality.
Each Paralympic sport now has its own individual classification system with rarely more than 8 classes each, with the exception of Athletics (20), swimming (14) and Table Tennis (10). By basing classification on functional ability, there are times whereby individual's classifications can be put into question as their impairment may not be considered to be on par with that of their fellow competitors. However, more emphasis is now placed upon competitor's athletic ability rather than a concentration on their impairments.
The classification process includes: a physical examination (bench test), a sports based test (I.e. observation when swimming) and often, but not always, observation during competition.
However, as the paralympic movement expanded to incorporate other impairments, the classification criteria was required to expand as well. The spinal cord injury/"wheelchair group" had been organised into 8 different classes. But with the inclusion of amputees came a further nine classes, whilst athletes with visual impairments added a further three, then later competitors with cerebral palsy were divided into an additional 8 classes. Additionally, as time passed, another group of athletes emerged whom did not "fit into" the proceeding impairment discriptions, these athletes were labelled "les autres" (or "the others") and were divided into 6 more classifications.
Therefore, by the Paralympic games in Seoul 1988, there were approximately 34 different classifications. To put this in real terms, this would be like taking the number of events in the Olympics and timing that by 34 in order that all athletes had a race. Thus, it is perhaps understandable that paralympic sports were not considered as highly competitive at this time.
It soon became clear that it was necessary to revamp the classification system. Indeed, it was wheelchair basketball that developed a new system, whereby the althete's functional ability was assessed, opposed to a pure focus on the nature of their impairment. This system is now fully embraced throughout most paralympic sports, although a few sports do still consider impairment specific issues as well as sport specific functionality.
Each Paralympic sport now has its own individual classification system with rarely more than 8 classes each, with the exception of Athletics (20), swimming (14) and Table Tennis (10). By basing classification on functional ability, there are times whereby individual's classifications can be put into question as their impairment may not be considered to be on par with that of their fellow competitors. However, more emphasis is now placed upon competitor's athletic ability rather than a concentration on their impairments.
The classification process includes: a physical examination (bench test), a sports based test (I.e. observation when swimming) and often, but not always, observation during competition.
Archery
Archers are placed in one of three classes - on a sports based criteria. There is one classification for competitors that can stand, and two for those who compete while sitting down. The seated competitors are classified determined on how their impairment effects the mobility in their arms.
Athletics
Athletics has the most possible classifications of all the paralympic sports; this is because it has yet to adopt a functional or sports specific approach to classifying. Athletes are still classified on the basis of their impairment (wheelchair use, cerebral palsy or visual impairment) and then further divided depending on their ability. Therefore, there are several classifications, which effect the ruling systems at major international events. Athletics is particularly hard to follow because there is often not enough competitors to fill the event quota, so two or more classifications may be grouped together, with medal standings determined by those who get closest to the world record of their own classifications. Tricky huh?
Basketball
Competitors must have an impairment that effects the mobility of their legs. There are eight classifications; athletes are assigned points, from 1.0 to 4.5 (1.0 being the least functional), base on their physical ability and function, not medical diagnosis. The full team of five players must not exceed a total points scoring of 14.0.
Boccia
There are four classifications determined by the amount of assistance required by the competitor whilst playing. The sport is predominantly played by people with cerebral palsy, with the exception of class 4 which is for people with other impairments.
Cycling
There are 8 classifications in cycling, mostly assigned on an impairment basis, with some sport specific consideration. Competitors are classified by impairment; visual impairment has one classification, with locomotor (I.e. amputation) and cerebral palsy have 4 classifications each determined by physical functionality. There is discussions going on about combining some of the locomotor and cerebral palsy classes.
Equestrian
There are 4 classifications, purely based upon the requirements of the sport, type of event and individual physical function
Fencing
A mixture of medical and functional test are used to assign athletes to one of two classifications.
Football
Seven a side:
Made up of people with ambulant players cerebral palsy. There are four functionally assessed classifications. Any given team must have at least one player with either of the two lowest classifications (least functionality) at all times.
Five a side:
Players must have a registered visual impairment. All players' eyes are covered at all times. Thus, there is no requirement for a classification system.
Made up of people with ambulant players cerebral palsy. There are four functionally assessed classifications. Any given team must have at least one player with either of the two lowest classifications (least functionality) at all times.
Five a side:
Players must have a registered visual impairment. All players' eyes are covered at all times. Thus, there is no requirement for a classification system.
Goalball
Players must have a registered visual impairment. All players' eyes are covered at all times. Thus, there is no requirement for a classification system.
Judo
Players must have a registered visual impairment. There are no classifications. Competitors are placed in the same weight groupings as found in the Olympic games
Powerlifting
Again, this sport has no classifications. However, competition is open to people with all impairments. Competitors are placed in the different weight groupings.
Sailing
Competitors with all forms of impairments can compete together, with a classification system based on the specific requirements of sailing - there are 7 classes. These are broken down into four main functions: Stability, hand function, mobility, and vision.
Each sailor is awarded points from 1-7 which details their individual functional ability; 1 being the lowest and 7 being the highest level of functional ability.
In team events, sailing crews are comprised of 3 competitors. The total number of points for all crew members must not exceed 14; similar to the wheelchair basketball system.
Each sailor is awarded points from 1-7 which details their individual functional ability; 1 being the lowest and 7 being the highest level of functional ability.
In team events, sailing crews are comprised of 3 competitors. The total number of points for all crew members must not exceed 14; similar to the wheelchair basketball system.
Shooting
Competition is determined by the competitors need to use a shooting stand or not. There may be subclasses within these two variants, but this is unclear to me at present.
Swimming
The swimming classification system is characterised by 14 classes. All impairments are combined throughout the sport, with the exception of the final 4 classes.
Classes S1-10 signify that the competitors have a physical impairment. The lower the class, the more severe the impairment.
Classes S11-13 signify that the competitors have a visual impairment. S11 is for competitors with total blindness, whilst S12 and S13 are for competitors with partial visual impairments (S12 signifying the most severe of the two).
Class S14 signifies that the competitors have an intellectual impairment - there are no variants in this class.
Classes S1-10 signify that the competitors have a physical impairment. The lower the class, the more severe the impairment.
Classes S11-13 signify that the competitors have a visual impairment. S11 is for competitors with total blindness, whilst S12 and S13 are for competitors with partial visual impairments (S12 signifying the most severe of the two).
Class S14 signifies that the competitors have an intellectual impairment - there are no variants in this class.
Table Tennis
There are 10 classifications in table tennis. These are based on a functional ability and sports specific system.
Wheelchair Tennis
The main eligibility criteria is that the competitor must have a physical impairment. There are two classifications. The first being for competitors with lower limb impairments. The second is for individuals with impairments that effect their upper limbs (E.g. tetraplegia) causing limitations on their ability to serve and strike.
Wheelchair Rugby
Competitors must have an impairment that effects the mobility of their legs. There are eight classifications; athletes are assigned points, from 0.5 to 3.5 (0.5 being the least, and 3.5 being the most, functional), base on their physical ability and function, not medical diagnosis. The full team of four players must not exceed a total points scoring of 8.
Sources: Buckley, 2008
