Classification

 

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 decision together about which class the athlete completes in. The process that classification is carried out by is called "Athlete Evaluation" and it answers three fundamental questions. These questions by the International Paralympic Committee include 

1. Does the Athlete have an Eligible Impairment for this sport?

2. Do the athlete's Eligible impairments meet the Minimum Impairment Criteria of the sport?

3. Which Sport Class should the athlete be allocated based on the extent to which the athlete is able to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the sport?

    There are 10 eligible Impairments that are often referred to in three distinct groups: physical impairments, Vision impairments, and intellectual impairments. Each sport defines which Eligible Impairment types they provide opportunities to play for in their classification rules. The assessment of whether or not an athlete is Eligible for a sport is conducted by the International Sports Federation governing that sport. For each sport classification rules describe how severe an Eligible impairment must be for an athlete to compete.  This criteria is called Minimum impairment criteria, and it ensures that an athlete's Eligible Impairment affects the extent to which an athlete is able to execute tasks and activities for their sport. After the athlete has been designated as eligible the classification panel assesses which sport class the athlete participates in. Since sports include athletes of all 10 Eligible Impairments, Para athletics has over 50 sports classes. These classes are designed to include groups of athletes with similar activity limitations together so they can compete equally.  

Fairness in Sports--

    - The classification system is set up to provide each athlete with a fair opportunity in the sport they want to play in. This system works so professionals are able to accurately evaluate the athlete's impairment and its severity of it. This allows individuals to compete alongside other athletes who have similar limitations as them. I believe all of these steps to make the sport fair are appropriate. I believe that these processes must be followed to have fairness in every aspect of each sport. It would not be equal for someone with a visual impairment to be running against someone with an amputation for example. The rules and processes are put into effect for every athlete's benefit. I believe it's better for athletes to compete against someone who is similar to them in the aspect of impairment limitations. With the ten different categories for eligible impairments there is a wide variety so anyone can play, but separating players creates a better playing field. There should be more classes that could be added that broaden the availability of athletes and creates a widespread group of individuals that can be involved. This process must be followed in order to have a fair and equal playing field in the world of Para sports. 

Sources--

IPC classification - paralympic categories & how to qualify. International Paralympic Committee. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://www.paralympic.org/classification

Additional Findings--

https://www.teamusa.org/usparatrackandfield/classification

- This article talks about the different classification systems in the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field. It contains a lot of information about the different classes and opportunities internationally and nationally.