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Paralympic classification
Ever wondered what those combinations of letters and numbers they use to describe Paralympic events mean? In today's episode we find out how the Paralympic classification works, and whether it's putting some athletes at a disadvantage.
The letter indicates the type of sport. For example there's T for track, F for field, S for swimming - well, the freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events. Breaststroke is SB, the medley is SM.
The number reflects the nature of the athlete’s disability and how it affects their performance in their chosen sport. It’s a way of making sure athletes are competing against others with similar challenges, so the final result doesn’t come down to their disability but their skill, training and strategy, the things professional athletes spend years refining.
Generally, the lower the number the more severe the disability. For example S3 competitors like Scooter Patterson have physical disability affecting all four limbs. That could mean things like quadriplegia, quadriplegic cerebral palsy or multiple limb difference.
But there are often fewer athletes in those classifications with the smaller numbers. That means there might not be enough people, from enough different countries, to make their competition viable. Not only do those athletes miss out on the chance to compete, but without the chance of Paralmpic gold there may be fewer resources invested for people with high support needs to participate in that sport at all.
The classification system is being constantly revised and improved, to ensure it's giving athletes of all abilities the most equitable possible opportunity to compete. And while it's a work in progress, it’s important to remember the incredible good the Paralympic movement has brought to the world: for athletes with disability, for the broader disability community to see ourselves represented and celebrated on the world stage. And for the mainstream community to see people with disability as strong and capable, to recognise what we can do and what we can achieve.
Useful links
Transcript for this episode: https://carersqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Choice-and-Control-4-2-Paralympic-Classification-transcript.docx
Paralympics Australia: https://www.paralympic.org.au/
Carers Queensland upcoming events and workshops:
View all episodes
By Carers QueenslandEver wondered what those combinations of letters and numbers they use to describe Paralympic events mean? In today's episode we find out how the Paralympic classification works, and whether it's putting some athletes at a disadvantage.
The letter indicates the type of sport. For example there's T for track, F for field, S for swimming - well, the freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events. Breaststroke is SB, the medley is SM.
The number reflects the nature of the athlete’s disability and how it affects their performance in their chosen sport. It’s a way of making sure athletes are competing against others with similar challenges, so the final result doesn’t come down to their disability but their skill, training and strategy, the things professional athletes spend years refining.
Generally, the lower the number the more severe the disability. For example S3 competitors like Scooter Patterson have physical disability affecting all four limbs. That could mean things like quadriplegia, quadriplegic cerebral palsy or multiple limb difference.
But there are often fewer athletes in those classifications with the smaller numbers. That means there might not be enough people, from enough different countries, to make their competition viable. Not only do those athletes miss out on the chance to compete, but without the chance of Paralmpic gold there may be fewer resources invested for people with high support needs to participate in that sport at all.
The classification system is being constantly revised and improved, to ensure it's giving athletes of all abilities the most equitable possible opportunity to compete. And while it's a work in progress, it’s important to remember the incredible good the Paralympic movement has brought to the world: for athletes with disability, for the broader disability community to see ourselves represented and celebrated on the world stage. And for the mainstream community to see people with disability as strong and capable, to recognise what we can do and what we can achieve.
Useful links
Transcript for this episode: https://carersqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Choice-and-Control-4-2-Paralympic-Classification-transcript.docx
Paralympics Australia: https://www.paralympic.org.au/
Carers Queensland upcoming events and workshops: