Importance of the Paralympic Games and its Classification System

    The Paralympic Games have grown immensely over the years, garnering the attention, support, and involvement of both athletes and spectators worldwide. These Games, just as important as the Olympics, put forth an athletic showcase unlike any other. The International Paralympic Committee prides themselves on the values of courage, determination, inspiration, and of course, equality. In terms of the value of equality, the Committee expresses that Paralympic Sport serves as a direct initiative for change in order to challenge social criticisms of discrimination against those with some form of impairment. These Games act as a celebration of those with differences, by allowing athletes to display their athletic capabilities on a global stage. In order to compete in the Paralympics, athlete must have at least one of the following 10 eligible impairments: impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of motion, limb deficiency, leg length difference, short stature, muscle tension, uncoordinated movement, involuntary movements, vision impairment, and or intellectual impairment. These eligible impairments provide clarity and perhaps an answer to the proposition that para sports should be inclusive to all. In simple terms, the answer is no, para sports should not be a viable competition option for all athletes. This conclusion can be drawn since competing para individuals present with some form of disability or impairment that can lead to a set of disadvantages in sport, as well as an unfair playing field. The first step in ensuring fair sport is to maintain the separation between the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games. The second step taken in creating fair competition is to continually practice the classification system.

    The Paralympics have a system in place, coined classification, where athletes are categorized based on their impairment and its impact on the activity. This practice ensures that competition is both fair and equal, by gathering athletes of similar capabilities and allowing true athletic qualities of skill, focus, endurance, and power to take its course in determining the winner. Essentially, it attempts to decrease the impact of the impairment on one’s athletic performance. Each sport has its own classifications because different impairments affect one’s ability to compete in different sports on various levels. As a result, an athlete may be eligible to compete in one sport, but not another, depending on criteria met. Through a process called “Athlete Evaluation,” classification is practiced. Athlete Evaluation answers three questions critical to competition, those being whether or not the athlete presents with an eligible impairment for the sport, if the athlete’s impairment meets the minimum impairment criteria, and where exactly the athlete should be grouped in given their ability to effectively perform.   

    In approaching the first of the three fundamental questions, eligible impairments in the Paralympic movement are evaluated. As previously mentioned, there are 10 eligible impairments, consisting of three distinct groups, that an athlete can be classified into. Those three groups consist of physical impairments, vision impairment, and intellectual impairment. Since each sport has its own classifications, various opportunities arise. Some sports welcome athletes with any of the 10 eligible impairments to compete, such as para swimming, while others are specific to just one or a limited selection, such as para-cycling. The second question addresses an athlete’s minimum impairment criteria for a sport. Minimum impairment criteria, specific to each event, assesses the impact of an impairment on athletic performance, defined by continuing scientific studies and research. And lastly, the third question involves determining the athlete’s sport class. Once deemed eligible for competition, athletes are assigned to a sport class where they will compete against others with similar impairment impacts. It should be noted that some sports may only have one sport class, while others, especially those including all 10 of the eligible impairments, can include up to 50 different groups. These classes are unique to each sport and impairment, ensuring that competition is equal amongst those participating. 

    The Paralympics are not about the impairments, but rather the athletes competing and what they are all capable of. These athletes are not to be viewed as impaired, but rather as an athlete with an impairment. Competing individuals are so much more than their impairments, and these Games serve as a reminder to us all that anything is possible with determination and passion. To further celebrate these athletes, the classification system is put in action to categorize athletes by their impairment and its impact on sport to promote fair competition and talent expression.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vvYd_Baq1E 

Video further explaining the importance of the Paralympic Games and its classification system.

Image of para-swimmers with a variety of impairments. Swimming is one of the most inclusive sports in the Paralympic Games, offering competition opportunities to all 10 eligible impairments.