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INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE
Classification by Sport

CLASSIFICATION BY SPORTS

Classification in Para sports is individually governed by each International Sport Federation in the Paralympic Movement, within the framework of the IPC Athlete Classification Code and International Standards. 

Classification systems differ from sport by sport. This is because an Eligible Impairment, its severity and location may cause relatively little impact on one sport and a significant impact on another, depending on the activity performed in each sport. 

 An International Sport Federation must develop and implement a classification system that complies with the Code and the International Standards (Article 2.2, IPC Athlete Classification Code 2015).  

Specifically, a classification system must: 

  • Clearly state that an athlete must have an Eligible impairment in order to compete in the sport. Such Impairments must come from the list of Eligible Impairments presented in the International Standard for Eligible Impairments. 

  • Set processes and procedures for assessing whether an athlete has an Eligible Impairment. These processes and procedures must conform with the International Standard for Eligible Impairments. 

  • Set Minimum Impairment Criteria for each Eligible Impairment. Minimum Impairment Criteria must be written in a way that can be objectively assessed and comply with the International Standard for Eligible Impairment and for Athlete Evaluation. 

  • Require that athletes be allocated a Sport Class based on the extent to which athletes are able to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the Para sport or discipline. The process by which Sport Classes are allocated must comply with the International Standard for Athlete Evaluation. 

Here are the links to classification pages of all sports in the Paralympic Movement: