Every individual is born with a unique quality. Some are good in academics, while others excel in sports or the arts. Each person has their talents that contribute to the diversity of our world.
Similarly, in the Olympic arena, whether you are abled or disabled, each athlete possesses unique strengths and abilities that set them apart from others.
But do you know how a gem is selected among a crowd of thousands to represent their country on the world stage? It is a rigorous selection process that involves intense competition and years of dedication and hard work. Here are the complete criteria for how a Paralympian is selected to represent their country in the Paralympic Games.
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The Classification Process in Paralympics 2024
To determine whether an athlete is eligible to compete in the upcoming tournament, a few criteria must be met. These function as:
1) Evaluating the athlete
Athlete evaluation is the process used to classify athletes in parasports. It involves assessing athletes to determine their eligibility and assigning them to the appropriate sports class based on their abilities.
This evaluation answers three key questions:
- Does the athlete have a recognised impairment that qualifies them for para sports?
- Does the athlete's impairment meet the specific severity requirements needed to compete in their sport?
- Based on how well the athlete can perform the essential tasks of the sport, what sports class should they be placed in?
This process ensures that athletes are grouped fairly for competition, taking into account their abilities and limitations.
Let’s answer the first question, which is: Does the athlete have a recognised impairment that qualifies them for para sports? So, to qualify for the evaluation round, the athlete must have an underlying health condition that leads to a permanent, eligible impairment.
The table below lists the different types of impairments that are eligible for the paralympic movement.
| Impairment Type | Description | Examples of Underlying Health Conditions |
| Impaired Muscle Power | Athletes with impaired muscle power have a health condition that reduces or eliminates their ability to voluntarily contract their muscles to move or generate force. | Spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome, spina bifida |
| Impaired Passive Range of Movement | Athletes with impaired passive range of movement have a restriction or lack of passive movement in one or more joints. | Arthrogryposis, contracture due to chronic joint immobilisation or trauma |
| Limb Deficiency | Athletes with limb deficiencies have a total or partial absence of bones or joints due to trauma, illness, or congenital limb deficiencies. | Traumatic amputation, amputation due to bone cancer, dysmelia |
| Leg Length Difference | Athletes with leg length differences have a difference in leg length due to a disturbance of limb growth or trauma. | Disturbance of limb growth, trauma |
| Short Stature | Athletes with short stature have reduced bone length in the upper limbs, lower limbs, and/or trunk. | Achondroplasia, growth hormone dysfunction, osteogenesis imperfecta |
| Hypertonia | Athletes with hypertonia have increased muscle tension and reduced muscle stretchability caused by central nervous system damage. | Cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke |
| Ataxia | Athletes with ataxia have uncoordinated movements due to central nervous system damage. | Cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis |
| Athetosis | Athletes with athetosis have continual slow involuntary movements. | Cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke |
| Vision Impairment | Athletes with vision impairment have reduced or no vision due to damage to the eye structure, optical nerves or pathways, or visual cortex. | Retinitis pigmentosa, diabetic retinopathy |
| Intellectual Impairment | Athletes with intellectual impairment have restricted intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, affecting everyday conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. | This impairment must be present. |
2) Identifying whether an athlete meets a sport's Minimum Impairment Criteria
Each para-sport has specific criteria that determine the minimum level of impairment required for an athlete to be eligible to compete in that sport. These criteria are known as the Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC).
The purpose of MIC is to ensure that an athlete's impairment significantly affects their ability to perform the fundamental tasks and activities of the sport. For example:
- A maximum height limit for athletes with short stature
- A specific level of limb amputation for athletes with limb deficiency
- MICs are developed based on scientific research that assesses the impact of different impairments on the sport's activities.
- Since sports require different skills and movements, MICs are tailored to each sport.
As a result, an athlete may meet the MIC for one sport but not another, depending on how their impairment affects their performance in that particular sport. If an athlete is deemed ineligible for a sport based on MIC, it does not negate the presence of their impairment but rather reflects the specific requirements of that sport.
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3) Sports class selection for athletes
Once an athlete is confirmed as eligible for a sport, a classification panel will determine which sport class the athlete will compete in.
A sports class groups athletes with similar activity limitations to ensure fair competition. This means that sports classes vary by sport, and athletes in the same class may not necessarily have the same type of impairment.
The process of determining an athlete's sports class is multi-step, typically involving physical and technical assessments, followed by observation during the competition before the final sport class and Sport Class Status are assigned.
Athletes may need to be reclassified multiple times throughout their careers, especially if their impairments progress or change. If an athlete's medical condition changes, they must notify the sports organisation and request a re-evaluation.
Forms and Documents for Medical Diagnostics
The medical diagnostic forms for all athletes are as follows:
- Physical Impairment: Athletes and their National Paralympic Committee (NPC) are responsible for submitting the Medical Diagnostics Form (MDF) along with all relevant medical documents through the SDMS online system.
- Vision Impairment: Athletes and their NPC must submit the Vision Impairment Medical Diagnostics Form (MDF) and all necessary supporting medical documentation via the SDMS online system.
- Intellectual Impairment: Athletes with intellectual impairments must meet the VIRTUS II 1 Eligibility Criteria and be listed on the VIRTUS International Eligibility Master list. It is the responsibility of the athlete and the NPC to submit the TSAL-Q form through the SDMS online system.
Sports Classes in Para Athletics
Para-athletics has a comprehensive classification system that groups athletes with similar activity limitations into sports classes for fair competition.
The sport classes are based on the type and extent of eligible impairment, such as vision impairment (T11-13), intellectual impairment (T20), coordination impairments (T35-38), short stature (T40-41), limb deficiency or impaired muscle power (T42-47, T61-64), and wheelchair racing (T32-34, T51-54).
The numerical figure represents the level of impairment, with lower numbers indicating more severe impairment.
This ensures that athletes' success is determined by their skill, fitness, and preparation rather than the severity of their impairment.
Classification Rules and Regulations
The classification rules and regulations according to the International Paralympics Committee are mentioned below:
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