What goes into classification process in Para Athletics, and why are competitors often disqualified

India will host the World Para-Athletics Grand Prix at the Capital’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from Tuesday. The three-day event will witness participation of 250 competitors from 20 countries.Various event categories based on the impairments of the athletes is the basis of para sport. In Para-Athletics, the classification process is multiple-layered and takes into consideration various factors.
This can often result in confusion and even disqualification of athletes, sometimes just before an event or even after they have won a medal.
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The Indian Express explains the finer points of the classification process that takes place during Para-Athletics events.
Q: What is classification in Para-Athletics?
It is a process that determines which athlete will compete against each other in an event. It is done to group together athletes with similar levels of physical ability to allow fair competition.
Q: What are the criteria for classification?
The main criteria for any para-athlete to be eligible for a classification are: an underlying health condition which is permanent in nature and meets the minimum impairment criteria. Examples of Minimum Impairment Criteria are the maximum height defined for athletes with short stature, or the level of amputation defined for athletes with limb deficiency.
Q:What are the sports classes in which athletes are classified?Story continues below this ad
A sports class groups athletes with similar impairments to ensure fair competition. They are based on the type and extent of eligible impairment, such as vision impairment (T11-13), intellectual impairment (T20), coordination impairment (T35-38), short stature (T40-41), limb deficiency or impaired muscle power (T42-47, T61-64), and wheelchair racing (T32-34, T51-54).
The numbers represent the level of impairment; the lower the number, the more severe the impairment.
Q: How is classification done in Para-Athletics?
In Para-Athletics, classification is done for three types of impairment: Physical, Vision, and Intellectual.
There are three stages for classification: Physical Assessment, Technical Assessment, and Observational assessment.Story continues below this ad
In the first stage (physical assessment), the athletes are assessed to decide whether they are medically fit or not. They are judged on 10 parameters a certified physiotherap or medical practitioner. In case of intellectual impairment, the athletes go through sport-specific tests like running and jumping.
In the second stage (technical assessment), the athlete’s technique is judged as it should be in sync with the impairment the athlete has claimed. Any kind of conflict would result in an athlete getting disqualified. In case of intellectual impairment, athletes take a computer test to determine their intellect under the supervision of an expert.
The third stage (observational assessment) is for impairments or groups which don’t have fixed classification. Injuries involving spinal cord fall under the non-fixed sports class while the likes of limb amputations and short stature are included in the fixed sports class.
Q: What happens during observation assessment?
Usually the fixed sports class classification is done during the first two stages after which the athletes receive their classification.Story continues below this ad
For the non-fixed sports class involving Hypertonia (increased muscle tension and reduced muscle stretchability caused central nervous system damage), Ataxia (uncoordinated movement due to central nervous system damage), and Athetosis (continual slow involuntary movement), the classification panel also observes the athletes during competition.
“Classification is an ever-evolving process. During the observational assessment, we look at athletes and how they behave on the field. The observation is done to make sure that the athlete has been classified in the right sports class,” Manish Rana, Head of classifications, Paralympic Committee of India, told The Indian Express.
Q: Where is classification done?
Classification is important for athletes to participate in international events. It is usually done at events like the World Grand Prix. Bigger tournaments such as Paralympics and Asian Para Games don’t offer classification slots. So, for any athlete to participate in these events, they need to get classified at events such as Grand Prix.
Q: Who does the classification?
The classification panel conss of certified classifiers from the International Paralympic Committee and classifiers certified the National Paralympic Committees (NPCs).Story continues below this ad
Q: What is the validity of the classification issued to the athletes?
There are three types of classification validity: Confirmed (C), Review with Next Available Opportunity (R-NAO), and Review with Fixed Review Date (R-FRD).
Confirmed classification is for athletes who meet the criteria of classification and their impairment is unlikely to change over time.
R-NAO is for the athletes who have barely met the criteria or are having a protest request from an NPC or World Para Athletics, or have a medical review request from the classifiers for re-evaluation.Story continues below this ad
R-FRD is for the athletes who have an evolving impairment and require timely evaluation. The FRD period is usually two years.
Athletes may need to be reclassified multiple times throughout their careers, especially if their impairments progress or change.