Education & Resources 

In the 1940’s Dr Ludwig Guttmann founded Paralympic sport as an extension of the rehabilitation process. Sport classes reflected the structure of a rehabilitation hospital with separate classes for people with spinal cord injuries, amputation and those with other neurological or orthopedic conditions.

As the Paralympic Movement matured, the focus switched away from rehabilitation and was driven by sport. In the 1980’s, supported by the demands of Games’ organizing committees to reduce the number of classes in different sports, classification transitioned from medical to functional classification, (an exception being the classification system used for athletes with visual impairment which still remains medically based). Functional classification is sport specific because any given impairment may have a significant impact in one sport and a relatively minor impact in another sport. For example the impact of a below elbow arm amputee in swimming is greater than in running. 

Since the widespread adoption of functional systems of classification, Paralympic sport has continued to mature rapidly. An athlete’s classification had a significant impact on the degree of success they are likely to achieve, and the concept of functional classification, based on performance, was questioned.

The Movement recognized the need to revisit classification and in 2003 the IPC Governing Board approved a classification strategy which recommended the development of a universal classification code, giving direction for the future of Paralympic classification.

The Paralympic Movement approved the IPC Classification Code in November 2007, which defines Paralympic classification as “accurate, reliable and consistent sport focused classification systems“. 

The Paralympic Movement has twice reviewed and updated the Code and the current IPC Classification Code and International Standards were implemented in January 2025. All Paralympics Sports classification rules must be in Compliance to the Code.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement.  Its members are National Paralympic Committee (NPCs), International Sport Federations (IFs), International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled (IOSDs) and Regional Organisations.   

All PNZ member Para sports’ classification activities must comply with specific IF Classification Rules which in turn comply with the IPC Classification Code.  PNZ, as the national affiliated member to IPC and a signatory to the IPC Code, is accountable to the IPC for the following national classification activities: 

• Promote and support National Sports Organisations to adopt IF Classification Rules and processes and to be aware of their roles and responsibilities under the IPC Classification Code.

• Support athletes and athlete support personnel to become aware of their roles and responsibilities and Classification rules of their IF 

• Distribute classification information and education resources  

• Act as a liaison to the IPC on behalf of PNZ members, athletes and athlete support personnel 

• Promote the development of a national classification strategy 

Intentional Misrepresentation presents a major threat to the integrity of classification and Para sport.  It is a very serious offence because it constitutes an attempt to mislead an International Federation (or National Sports Organisation) in relation to any aspect of classification and/or achieve an unfair advantage that undermines fair and meaningful competition. 

Examples of Intentional Misrepresentation are but not limited to: 

• Submitting forged medical documentation 

• Deliberately underperforming during an Athlete Evaluation 

• Intentionally undergoing an evaluation session without the correct sports attire or adaptive equipment that the athlete intends to use in competition 

• Misrepresenting the athlete’s skills, abilities, and/or the existence, nature, and/or degree of the athlete’s impairment before, after, or during the evaluation session.   

 Mitigation of Intentional Misrepresentation 

Know the Rules – All athletes and athlete support personnel need to know the Classification rules of the sport and their roles and responsibilities. This is in compliance with the IPC Athlete Classification Code and the sports IF Classification rules.  

For more information, reach out to your National Sports Organisation or refer to the IPC Classification Code 

A Classifier is a person trained in accordance with the IPC Classification Code and International Federation (IF) classification rules to be an official for an IF or National Sports Organisation (NSO) to evaluate athletes, while serving as a member of a Classification Panel. The duties and responsibilities of a Classifier are detailed in the IPC Classification Code. 

A Classification Panel is a group of Classifiers, appointed for a particular competition by an IF or NSO, to determine the Sport Class and Sport Class Status of athletes reporting for classification. This is done in accordance with the classification rules of the respective IF. 

International Classification Panels, and those recommended for NSO Panels, must include a minimum of two Classifiers, unless an IF requires that more than two Classifiers constitute a Classification Panel.  

Types of Classifiers 

Classifiers will have expertise in one or both of the following areas and perform the required duties based on these two areas: 

Technical: An extensive coaching or athletic background in the sport, or a recognised and reputable academic qualification; encompassing, anatomical, biomechanical and sport-specific expertise, for example, former coaches or athletes, sport scientists, or physical educators with supporting evidence of expertise, such as an academic credential, professional certification or qualification of expertise. 

Medical: A recognised professional qualification in medicine or in a health related profession; such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or rehabilitation medicine, that has professional training in the measurement of the impairments that are eligible in Para sport (for example, muscle testing, coordination assessment, low vision testing, and intellectual assessment). Professional qualification(s) or accreditation must be valid at the time of certification as a Classifier by an IF. 

LEXI is an online, interactive system that explains Para sport classification.  To learn more, check out https://lexi.global/