Disability and sports

  The classification system in Para Sports  The Classification system--     Classification is a crucial aspect of Para Sport, and competitive sports are impossible without it. This system establishes who can and can not compete, and groups the athletes that can compete into classes. The classification system within each sport is different but the idea is to minimize the impact of someone's impairment on the outcome of the competition. Athletes may look different, but each class has a spectrum of impairments. To be classified athletes must submit medical information, go through sports and impairment-specific tests, and be observed during competition. During the observation, athletes give their best effort, and the people observing see a true reflection of their impairment in action. To enter into an international competition the athlete must go through an international classification that is run by the sports International Federation. Classifiers work in groups of two and make a dec