Classification
Classification
Classification in Para sports is important to ensure fair competition. It is the process by which athletes are grouped together to compete against each other in both team and individual sports.
Classification is an assessment carried out for each athlete by trained classifiers that ensures they have at least a minimum impairment which makes them eligible to compete in a sport. If they have an eligible impairment, they will then be grouped into one of three sport classes that exist in sports for people with visual impairments.
Classifiers are ophthalmologists and optometrists who are recognised by IBSA and IPC.
All sports for athletes with a vision impairment have a classification system and trained classifiers who assess each athlete’s abilities individually in a range of ways. This can be done once or multiple times over an athlete’s career, depending on their impairment. A panel of at least two certified classifiers will assess each athlete, giving them physical and visual tests and assessing medical evidence.
Classification Code
Each International Federation is responsible for classification in their sports. Each classification system must meet the IPC Athlete Classification Code if a sport is on the Paralympic programme.
IBSA is carrying out research to ensure that each of its Paralympic sports meets the latest Code. The key elements in the Code are that the classification system needs to be evidence based and sport specific.
More information about how classification works for each of the sports IBSA is responsible for can be found at their respective websites.
General information about classification within IBSA depending on your role can be found below.
IBSA is carrying out research to ensure that each of its Paralympic sports meets the latest Code. The key elements in the Code are that the classification system needs to be evidence based and sport specific.
More information about how classification works for each of the sports IBSA is responsible for can be found at their respective websites.
General information about classification within IBSA depending on your role can be found below.