Sports Matters explainer: Why classification matters in the Paralympics

SHAH ALAM - As the Paris Paralympics 2024 concluded yesterday, the spotlight shines on the meticulous classification system that ensures fair and equitable competition for athletes with diverse disabilities.

From the intricate strategies of track cycling to the exacting skills required in boccia, the Paralympic classification system plays a crucial role in organising events and grouping athletes.

As the Paralympics wrap up, we delve into how this system aligns with athletes’ disabilities and contributes to a level playing field, highlighting the dedication and prowess of these remarkable competitors.

Understanding Classification in the Paralympics

The Paralympic classification system is an intricate web of letters and numbers, representing different categories based on the type and extent of an athlete’s impairment.

Unlike the Olympics, where there is a single winner in a race, the Paralympics feature multiple classifications to account for diverse disabilities.

According to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the goal of classification is to minimise the impact of the impairment on the athlete’s performance so that sporting excellence determines who ultimately wins.

This system helps maintain the integrity of the competition by ensuring that athletes with similar levels of impairment compete against each other.

How Classifications Work

The classification process starts by verifying whether an athlete has an eligible impairment.

The IPC defines this as an “underlying health condition” that leads to a “permanent eligible impairment.”

Athletes must then undergo a series of assessments by experts in the sport to determine their sport class.

Impairments are categorised into three main types: physical, vision and intellectual.

Each sport has its own classification system tailored to the specific demands of the event.

For instance, athletics and swimming are open to all eligible impairments, while judo is limited to athletes with vision impairments.

The Classification Codes

Each sport has its own set of classification codes. For example, in athletics, the classification for wheelchair races is denoted by “T51-54,” while seated throws are classified as “F51-58.”

In swimming, different strokes and impairment levels are represented by codes such as “S” for general swimming and “SB” for breaststroke.

In para badminton, the classifications range from “WH1” for athletes with severe impairments using wheelchairs to “SL4” for those with less severe impairments.

Similarly, para cycling features categories like “C1-C5” for cyclists with various levels of upper and lower limb impairments.

Sports with Unique Classification Systems

Some sports, like boccia and goalball, have classification systems unique to the Paralympics.

Boccia players are categorised from BC1 to BC4 based on their disability type, while goalball athletes are divided into categories B1 to B3, depending on their level of visual impairment.

In blind football, players are classified as either B1, B2, or B3, with B1 players having no light perception, while B2 and B3 players have varying levels of visual acuity.

In contrast, para archery features categories like “Open class (recurve bows)” and “W1” for athletes with quadriplegia.

Ensuring Fairness and Integrity

The classification process is designed to be rigorous, with athletes undergoing physical and technical assessments.

Misrepresentation of classification, or "classification doping," is a serious offence, leading to penalties like bans or disqualification.

For instance, Spain’s basketball team faced controversy in 2000 when it was revealed that some athletes misrepresented their intellectual disabilities.

To prevent such issues, the IPC has recently updated its classification code to take effect in Jan 2025 to bolster the system's integrity and ensure fair competition for all athletes.

The complexity of the Paralympic classification system might seem daunting, but it plays a crucial role in ensuring that athletes compete on a level playing field.

As the 2024 Paralympics concluded, this system not only highlighted the diverse abilities of athletes but also highlighted the ongoing efforts to make sports as fair and inclusive as possible.

Whether in track cycling, boccia or any other sport, understanding these classifications helps appreciate the extraordinary talent and determination of Paralympians.